Flu season is just around the corner and the best method of protection – not to mention one of the easiest – is the flu vaccine.

Opportunities for adults who are uninsured to get a no-cost flu shot begin next week. This is thanks to the Springfield Flu Coalition – a longstanding partnership between CoxHealth, the Greene County Medical Society, Mercy Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, as well as nursing colleges associated with both Cox and Mercy.

Where to go

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 2, uninsured adults in Greene County can get a flu vaccine for no cost from the Springfield Flu Coalition.

These clinics are free for uninsured Greene County adult residents only and are available at the following dates and times:

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Salvation Army, 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway

Monday, Oct. 14, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Crosslines, 615 N. Glenstone Ave.

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hand-in-Hand Multicultural Center, 1436 W. Hovey

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1609 N. Summit Ave.

Sunday, Oct. 20, 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
South Fremont Freewill Baptist & Korean Church, 4547 S. Fremont Ave.

Sunday, Oct. 20, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1609 N. Summit Ave.

For children and people with insurance, it’s never been easier to get a flu shot. Local pharmacies, doctors’ office, schools and more offer little or no-cost vaccines at convenient locations across the county.

Why get the flu shot?

The last two flu seasons in Greene County have seen large case counts, with 4,360 flu cases in the most recent 2018-2019 season and 4,681 cases in the 2017-2018 season.

Vaccine is our best method of protection against the flu, even if, in some years, the vaccine isn’t a perfect match for circulating flu strains. Historic data has shown that even if someone who got the flu shot gets the flu, sickness is shorter and less severe.

The flu shot protects not only you, but also helps to keep the virus from spreading in the community. This is especially important for people in high-risk groups, who depend on others to avoid passing the illness on to them.

The groups considered high-risk are:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Pregnant women
• Young children
• Children with neurologic conditions and individuals with these conditions: asthma, heart disease or stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and/or cancer.

Who should get the flu shot

Flu vaccinations are strongly recommended for everyone six months of age and older. It is especially important for infants, young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.

The months with the most flu activity in Springfield tend to be from January to March. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting the flu vaccine before the end of October for the best possible protection.

A few reminders about getting vaccinated:

• Everyone over the age of six months is recommended to be vaccinated.
• Flu vaccine will protect against the most common flu viruses expected to circulate this year.
• Even if you got vaccinated last year, it is important to get vaccinated again this year to protect from changing flu viruses.
• Talk to your doctor before the vaccine if you are pregnant or have any health concerns.
• Influenza is a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The annual flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others. It takes two weeks for the body to build full immunity to the flu after the vaccination, which is why getting vaccinated early is important.

Weekly updates on flu, along with historical information on past seasons, will be posted regularly at health.springfieldmo.gov/flu once flu season is officially declared—at this time, there has not been a case of flu in Greene County this season.