Marion County Health Department To Offer Low-Cost Flu Shots

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Marion County Public Health Department is offering low-cost flu shots at six flu shot clinics scheduled in October and all season long through its district health offices. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older. And experts say it is especially important for pregnant women, people age 65 and older, and anyone with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

"A seasonal flu shot not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but helps protect others from the virus,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director of the Marion County Public Health Department. “Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can be life-threatening resulting in hospitalization.”

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, headaches, fatigue, chills, and muscle aches.

It takes about two weeks after receiving the vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.

Flu shots are available through the Marion County Public Health Department’s district health offices, and at these six upcoming flu shot clinics:

Tuesday, Oct. 4

• Chin Evangelical Baptist Church, 5610 S. Meridian St., from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Old Bethel United Methodist Church, 7995 E. 21st St., from 9 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 11

• Southport United Methodist Church, 1947 E. Southport Rd., from 9 a.m. to noon

Tuesday, Oct. 18

• Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Blvd., from 9 a.m.to noon

Thursday, Oct. 20

• Jewish Community Center, 6701 Hoover Rd., from 3 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 27

• Cathedral Kitchen, 1350 N. Pennsylvania St., from 9 to 11 a.m.

The cost for a flu shot is $20 for adults and $20 for children ages 2-18. Shots are free for children under two years old. Following CDC recommendations this flu season, FluMist will not be offered. Only injectable vaccine is available.

Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccines are also available for $75 or $155, depending on which type of pneumonia vaccine is recommended for the client. A tetanus vaccination is $25 (Td) or $45 (Tdap). Medicare and Medicaid are accepted.

To learn more about the flu shot clinics, and locations of Marion County Public Health Department district health offices, call the Flu Clinic Hotline at (317) 221-2121 or visit MarionHealth.org.