The Chattooga County Health Department is now offering flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines on a walk-in basis at its office at 60 Farrar Drive in Summerville.

Walk-in vaccination hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, Thursday from 8 AM until 6 PM, and Friday from 8 AM until 1:30 PM.

Chattooga County Health Department Nurse Manager Judy Wesson says vaccination remains the best way to protect against influenza and its potentially serious complications.

The CDC recommends a flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, and Wesson says residents should get vaccinated now or at least before the end of October.

This year’s standard flu vaccine is trivalent, meaning it is designed to protect against three influenza strains. A high-dose trivalent vaccine is also available and contains four times more antigen than the regular-dose vaccine. The stronger version is recommended for adults 65 and older.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are also available at the health department. They are recommended primarily for adults 65 and older, particularly those with underlying health conditions, as well as people six months and older who have underlying conditions or are at higher risk for severe illness.

Anyone with questions about whether they or a family member should receive an updated COVID vaccine is encouraged to consult a primary healthcare provider or pediatrician.

Flu vaccines are available at no cost through most health coverage plans. Accepted payment methods and insurance plans include cash, credit or debit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Alliant, Ambetter, BlueCross BlueShield/Anthem, Cigna excluding Medicare plans, TRICARE Select and Reserve Select, and UnitedHealthcare.

For those paying out of pocket, the cost is $35 for a regular flu vaccine and $55 for the high-dose vaccine for adults 65 and older.

Regular Chattooga County Health Department hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8 AM until 5 PM, Thursday from 8 AM until 6:30 PM, and Friday from 8 AM until 2 PM.

For more information, call the Chattooga County Health Department at 706-857-3471.