The Department of Health in Marion County is now offering free flu vaccines

Sissi Rodriguez, a pharmacy technician with AdventHealth, draws the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at Paddock Mall in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Sissi Rodriguez, a pharmacy technician with AdventHealth, draws the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

The shot for the 2021-22 flu season is available to all who are interested whether or not they have health insurance.

No appointment is necessary.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people may get a flu vaccine along with, or in addition to, a COVID-19 vaccine, which also is available for people age 5 and older at the Department of Health’s main office, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala.

The Department of Health encourages county residents to obtain a flu vaccine. Flu season typically runs between mid-December and February. The flu vaccine is the best method of protection against the flu and its potentially serious effects.

Although the flu affects everyone differently, getting vaccinated can help reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. Those who get vaccinated still may get sick, but the vaccine helps reduce the severity of the illness. The flu vaccine can be especially beneficial for those with chronic health conditions, women who are pregnant, and children.

According to the Department of Health, those with the flu are most contagious within the first three or four days of feeling ill. The most common symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, and headaches.

The Department of Health encourages people with questions about the flu vaccine to consult their health care provider.

Other steps that can help reduce the risk of contracting the flu include frequently washing your hands with soap and water, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces or objects that you touch frequently, and staying home if you do not feel well.

Flu vaccines also are available at many health care providers’ offices, pharmacies, and urgent care facilities throughout Marion County.

For more information about the flu vaccine, contact the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-629-0137.

Visit marion.floridahealth.gov, marionflcovid.org and twitter.com/flhealthmarion for the latest information on COVID-19 and vaccinations.

Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and use the Vaccine Locator and Testing Sites tools to find vaccination and testing sites near you.