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Flu season has arrived and the Saint Louis County Department of Health is urging all residents six months of age and older be vaccinated against the seasonal flu.

County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, Director of the Saint Louis County Department of Health, were both vaccinated against the seasonal flu at an event highlighting the importance and ease of being vaccinated.

“It’s not just about protecting yourself.  If you don’t catch the flu, then you can’t spread the flu to others,” said Dr. Gunn.

To encourage more people to get vaccinated, the Saint Louis County Department of Health will be offering free flu vaccinations to interested residents on the following days at the following locations:

At the South County Health Center; 4580 South Lindbergh Boulevard in Sunset Hills on Monday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

At the John C. Murphy Health Center; 6121 North Hanley Road in Berkeley on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on Friday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

These events are only open to residents of Saint Louis County and proof of residency – such as a driver’s license or utility bill – may be requested.

Residents unable to attend one of the above events can visit the Saint Louis County Department of Health’s Flu website at www.SaintLouisCountyFlu.com to find out where they can go for seasonal flu vaccinations.

Every year, seasonal flu vaccine offers protection against three different flu types, based on recommendations from experts around the world who determine which types are most likely to be circulating in the fall.

Depending on the severity of the outbreak, between 15 and 60 million Americans are infected by seasonal flu each flu season.  Over 200,000 people are hospitalized every year due to flu-related complications and around 36,000 of them die.

Other standard precautions being urged by the County Health Department are:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Try to maintain a distance of three feet between you and others.
• Stay home when you are sick or think you may be getting sick.