Williamson County To Offer Free Flu Shots

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County and Cities Health District is making it easier for residents to protect themselves from the flu this season by offering free drive-thru flu shots in early November.

With COVID-19 and the upcoming flu season overlapping, officials stress it's more important than ever to get vaccinated against influenza this year. The flu can be a serious health concern for older people, young children, pregnant women and people with ongoing illnesses like diabetes, or kidney, heart, or lung disease. People can get sick with COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, which may increase the risk they will need hospitalization, health officials noted. As many as 45 million Americans get sick from the flu each season, officials added.

“Getting a flu shot is one safe and simple thing we all can do to ease our minds during the pandemic to protect ourselves, our families and our communities,” Dr. Lori Palazzo, Medical Director and Health Authority for the Williamson County and Cities Health District, said in a prepared statement. "Getting vaccinated this year means having one less thing to worry about."

Influenza and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms, such as congestion, cough and fever. People who have these symptoms when flu season arrives should be tested for COVID-19 to help ensure a correct medical diagnosis.

Health officials remind that there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to practice physical distancing, wear face coverings when around people who don't live with you, wash your hands regularly and stay home if you're sick. These measures also help reduce the spread of the flu as well.

To mitigate illness, the Williamson County and Cities Health District will be offering free drive-thru flu shots Tuesdays and Thursdays to any Williamson County resident aged six months and older starting Nov. 3, while supplies last. Participants must pre-register online by clicking here before arriving at the drive-thru site located at 211 Commerce Blvd. in Round Rock.