Anyone 18 years or older may stop in for a free flu shot at the library, 1pm-3:30pm on October 5. No appointments necessary.

This is first year of an exciting new partnership. Santa Clara County Library District and Santa Clara County Public Health Department are working together to help people stay healthy during flu season. Nurses from the Public Health Department will be providing the flu shots.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age or older, but is particularly important for those at higher risk of severe influenza, including pregnant women, children under five years of age, adults over the age of 50, and people with certain underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Pregnant women who get a flu shot not only protect themselves, but also help protect their babies in their first six months when they are still too young to be vaccinated.

For maximum protection, people should get the flu vaccine before flu season begins.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in the body.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu vaccine before the end of October, whenever possible.