Local News

Your guide to the latest news from around the Northwest

In response to a widespreadflu epidemic, King County is offering free flu vaccinations to people without health insurance or who are unable to afford one.

The vaccines Public Health – Seattle & King County is giving can be administered with a shot or with nasal spray. Preservative-free, gelatin-free and latex-free vaccines will be available.

“The flu will likely continue to circulate for many weeks, so getting a flu vaccine now can still provide  protection for the rest of the flu season,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin of  Public Health. “Flu vaccine is especially important for pregnant women, people in contact with infants who are too young to vaccinate, and also to people with health conditions that put them at greater risk for severe illness and hospitalization.”

People do not need to be regular clients of public-health centers or show proof of citizenship to get the vaccination.

The free flu vaccination clinics will be held at public-health centers at the following locations and times:

Columbia Public Health Center

4400 37th Ave S, Seattle, 206-296-4650

Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 24 and Thursday, Jan. 31, 3-7 p.m.

Eastgate Public Health Center

14350 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, 206-296-4920

Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Wednesday, Jan. 30, 3-7 p.m.

Federal Way Public Health Center

33431 13th Place S, Federal Way, 206-296-8410

Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

North Public Health Center

10501 Meridian Ave N, Seattle, 206-296-4765

Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 22 and Tuesday, Jan. 29, 3-7 p.m.

To get an idea of exactly how widespread the flu is this season, check out this Centers for Disease Control map below for states affected most last week by the epidemic.