Stay healthy this flu season: Free flu shots in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- With flu season underway, vaccinations are available to help you stay healthy this time of year.

Flu viruses can spread at any point throughout the year, but cases go up during flu season from October to May in the U.S., and usually peaks between December and February.

Influenza can be prevented by getting a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older gets a flu shot every year.

Whether or not you have health insurance, you can get the flu shot at no cost. Here's how.

The influenza vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and pharmacies across San Diego County and is covered by health insurance.

For those without insurance, there are six county Public Health Centers as well as local community clinics that offer flu shots at no cost. Appointments can be made but are not required.

Free flu vaccines are available the following dates/times at San Diego County Public Health Centers:

• North Coastal Public Health Center (760) 967-4401
  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday & Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• North Inland Public Health Center (760) 740-3000
  • Monday- Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• North Central Public Health Center (858) 573-7300
  • Monday- Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Central Region Public Health Center (619) 229-5400
  • Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• East Region Public Health Center (619) 441-6500
  • Monday- Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• South Region Public Health Center (619) 409-3110
  • Monday- Wednesday & Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday: 8 a.m. to noon

In San Diego, from 2022 to 2024, the county said an average of 20,381 people got sick from the flu each year and 54 people died.

There are also several upcoming flu vaccine clinics around the county that residents can visit:

• South Public Health Center
  • Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024
  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Northgate Market
  • 1058 3rd, Chula Vista
• Central Public Health Center, Southeast Live Well Center
  • Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024
  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • 5101 Market St., San Diego
• Mission Valley Library
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024
  • 1 to 4 p.m.
  • 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. How bad a flu season will be depends on several factors like what strains of the flu are circulating that year and how immune and healthy the population is.

It's recommended to get the flu shot every year as new vaccines are released to help protect the population from whatever strain is circulating that flu season.