Flu vaccination clinics start this weekend in Fresno County

FRESNO, California (KFSN) –

The change of season is not limited to the summer. The flu season will be there before you know it too.

Last year, we had one of the worst influenza seasons, when seven people died in Fresno County following a flu-related illness.

Tomorrow, a free clinic will be available for families.

This year's flu shot is designed to protect you from four different strains that made people sick last year in Colorado, Michigan, Singapore and Thailand.

Leticia Berber from the County of Fresno Health Department explained, "This virus has different strains that can cause various diseases that can sometimes lead to death, hospitalizations, critical care admissions, etc. You want to avoid those long lines. waiting in the emergency room. "

Your doctor may have asked you if you want a flu shot. Some pharmacies now offer them.

Berber says that once you get your vaccine, it takes time to get activated in your body. "It takes about 14 days, two weeks, so you want to get it as soon as possible – better than November and December, when the tension is high."

A free flu clinic will be held Saturday at the former UMC parking lot in Cedar and Kings Canyon, southeast of Fresno.

It will take place from 8:00 to 12:00. Only 600 doses will be administered, so it's first-come, first-served.

She said, "It's a car ride, you can stay in your car, follow the line and get vaccinated in your car, you do not have to get out of your car."

You can also park and walk to get your shot.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that last year's flu shot reduced the risk of seeing a doctor for the flu by 40%.