The Chattooga County Health Department is reminding residents that flu season is here and the local health department is offering flu shots.

Chattooga County Health Department Nurse Manager Judy Wesson says, “We encourage everyone six months and older to get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Getting a flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting flu.”

It is especially important to get the flu vaccine if you, someone you live with, or someone you care for is at high risk of complications from flu.

It is also recommended that pregnant women get a flu vaccine during any trimester of their pregnancy. Not only does it protect them against the flu, it also protects their newborn infants, for up to the first few months of life at least, at a time when infants are too young to receive the vaccine themselves.

Chattooga County Health Department hours are Monday – Wednesday 8 am to 5 pm, Thursday 8 am to 6:30 pm, and Friday 8 am to 2 pm. The Environmental Health office’s hours are Monday – Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm. For payment, the health department accepts cash, credit-or-debit card, Medicare, Medicaid, Amerigroup, CareSource, PeachState, Aetna, Ambetter, and most Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield (Anthem), and United Healthcare plans.

Contact the Chattooga County Health Department, 60 Farrar Drive, Summerville, at 706-857-3471.