Free Flu Shot Clinics Scheduled In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA – County health officials are urging residents to get the influenza vaccine this year.

In an effort to help all Marin residents get vaccinated, the county is offering a series of free flu shot clinics beginning Oct. 1 and running through mid-November.

"It is so common, it's easy to forget it can be deadly, especially for our older and more vulnerable people," said Dr. Lisa Santora, the county's deputy public health officer.

"Getting a flu shot annually is preventative medicine. If we vaccinate as a community, we are also protecting the more vulnerable such as older adults, young children, and those with certain chronic illnesses."

Flu is the leading cause of infectious-disease death in the U.S. The flu killed about 80,000 people in the 2017-2018 season, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"It's too early to say how severe our flu season will be, but one thing we know is that we're better protected if we're all vaccinated," Santora said. "We don't want to lose anyone in Marin to a preventable disease."

Health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot every year. The vaccine is especially recommended for people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and lung disease, pregnant women, people 65 years and older, and people who live with or care for others who are at higher risk.

The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services will host free flu shot clinics at several locations in San Rafael. The nonprofit Coastal Health Alliance will host clinics at various West Marin locations, including Point Reyes Station, San Geronimo Valley, Stinson Beach and Tomales.

Central Marin

• Tuesday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Canal Alliance, 91 Larkspur St., San Rafael
• Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cardenas Market parking lot, between 330 Bellam Blvd. and 3250 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael
• Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin Free Dining Hall, 820 B St., San Rafael

West Marin/San Geronimo Valley

• Thursday, Oct. 10, 1-5 p.m., San Geronimo Valley Community Center, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo
• Tuesday, Oct. 15, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Tomales Town Hall, 27150 Main St., Tomales
• Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1-4 p.m., Point Reyes Library, 11435 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station
• Thursday, Nov. 7, 12-4 p.m., Stinson Beach Firehouse, 32 Belvedere Ave., Stinson Beach

Vaccines are also available at doctors' offices. Many pharmacies provide free or low-cost flu shots to the public.