Flu shots will be available from the county health department starting Oct. 3.

Jessica Gilbert, flu shot coordinator for the department, said Durham has been added as a site for a clinic this year.

Fluzone shots will be given for people aged 6 months to 49 years. Flublok will be given to people aged 50 to 64 years. High dose vaccinations will be given to those aged 65 and over.

Walk-in flu clinics will be offered:

• Burns Community Center — 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 3.
• Centre School — 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 11.
• Durham Community Center — 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 13.
• Florence ambulance center — 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 4.
• Goessel city hall — 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 6.
• Hillsboro city hall — 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 20.
• Marion senior center — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 4.
• Peabody senior center — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 3.
• Peabody-Burns elementary school — 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12.
• Tampa senior center — 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11.

Flu shots also will be available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by appointment at the health department. Appointments may be made by calling (620) 382-2550.

Health officials recommend getting flu shots no earlier than October. The potency could drop if shots are administered in September.

“All of our towns except Ramona and Lehigh are getting a flu shot clinic visit,” Gilbert said. “Sometime we could add those communities if there were sufficient interest.”

The state usually provides Fluzone vaccinations for people who have no insurance.

“We’ve instructed people to get hold of us if they don’t have insurance,” she said.

Reminder cards will be sent to all Marion County residents.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.

Some people, such as the elderly, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk of serious complications.

Flu symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.

Complications can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Because some symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, people may need to be tested to tell what virus is causing their illness. It’s possible to be infected with both at the same time.