Florida Blue offering free flu shots in October

Florida Blue is offering free flu shots in October.

Florida Blue and Walgreens are offering the flu shots at Florida Blue Centers every Thursday this month between 10 a.m. and noon.

The vaccines are available to anyone age 18 or older, regardless if they have health insurance through another plan or no health insurance coverage at all.

People who get a flu shot will also get a $5 Walgreens gift card while supplies last.

Florida Blue is warning that the flu killed 80,000 people in the United States last winter, more than any flu season in decades.

Public health officials are encouraging everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine before the end of October.

People over the age of 65 are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine due to an increased risk of flu-related complications. In recent years, it is estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths occurred in people age 65 and older.

Participating Florida Blue Centers in Jacksonville include:

• St. Johns Town Center, 4855 Town Center Parkway
• River City Market Place, 13141 City Station Drive
• Winston YMCA, 221 Riverside Ave.

Cox Media Group