With flu season approaching, the Chattooga County Health Department has announced it is now offering flu vaccines on a walk-in basis, making it easier than ever for residents to protect themselves and their families.

Located at 60 Farrar Drive in Summerville, the health department will administer vaccines without an appointment during its designated flu shot hours: Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

Health officials are emphasizing the importance of early vaccination. “The best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine,” said Chattooga County Health Department Nurse Manager Judy Wesson. “The CDC recommends it for everyone six months and older, and you should get it now or certainly before October ends.”

This year’s vaccine options include a standard dose and a high-dose formulation for senior citizens. Wesson explained, “This year’s regular flu vaccine is trivalent, which means it protects against three influenza strains. The high-dose vaccine is also trivalent and contains four times more antigen than the regular dose.” The high-dose vaccine is specifically recommended for individuals aged 65 and older to provide a stronger immune response.

The vaccination is accessible for most residents regardless of their insurance status. The health department accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Ambetter, BlueCross BlueShield/Anthem, Cigna, and United Health Care SHBP. For those paying out-of-pocket, the cost is $35 for the regular flu vaccine and $55 for the high-dose vaccine.

The health department’s standard operating hours, which differ slightly from the flu shot walk-in times, are Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

For more information, residents can contact the Chattooga County Health Department at 706-857-3471, the Environment Health office at 706-857-3377, or visit the official website at www.nwgapublichealth.org/counties/chattooga. The department also encourages the public to follow its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChattoogaDPH for news, emergency messages, and vital health information.