GALION —Galion’s health department will host the last walk-in flu clinic for the season on Tuesday, Nov. 7. You can get your shot when you go to the polls to vote Tuesday as the clinic will be set up at Galion High School, 472 Portland Way North, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Last season, according to Galion health commissioner Trish Factor, there were 13 hospitalized cases of flu in Galion. During the two previous flu seasons, there was only one documented case per season. Unfortunately, people who contract the flu virus are contagious before they know they are getting sick, exposing many others to the virus unknowingly.

“Flu activity is expected to increase over the coming weeks” said Factor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine experts are again this year recommending that everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine. But experts at the CDC say it’s especially important that certain groups of people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.

Those who the CDC say should absolutely get flu shots include; pregnant women; children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old 3; people 65 years of age and older; people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions; and people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Also, people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including,: household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children younger than 6 months of age; health care workers and household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu.

At the health department clinic, most insurances are accepted, so bring your card. Children 18 years and younger with Medicaid, with NO insurance, or who are underinsured (per VCF guidelines) are eligible for flu vaccine through the VFC program at no cost.

For more information please visit our website: galionhealth.org or call us 419-468-1075.