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The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold community flu clinics throughout Boone County this fall. Community flu clinics are open to anyone. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome. This year's schedule includes:

Ashland: Southern Boone Primary School, 803 S Henry Clay - Thursday, Oct. 11, 4-6 p.m.

Centralia: Intermediate School, 510 S Rollins St - Thursday, Oct. 18, 3:30-6 p.m.

Sturgeon: Elementary School, 210 W Patton St - Monday, Oct. 22, 3:30-6 p.m.

Harrisburg: Community Room - Wednesday, Oct. 24, 3:30-6 p.m.

Hallsville: Intermediate School, 411 E Highway 124 - Thursday, Nov. 1, 4-6 p.m.

Support from University of Missouri Children’s Hospital, the David B. Lichtenstein Foundation, Boone Electric Community Trust and Boonslick Kiwanis Club of Columbia helps the department provide free seasonal flu vaccine (injectable and FluMist®) to all children age 6 months to 18 years.

For adults ages 19 and older, cost of the injectable vaccine is $25 ($30 for high-dose vaccine for persons age 65 and older). FluMist® is $30 and can be given to healthy, non-pregnant people age 2-49 years.

Cash, checks and a variety of insurance plans, including: Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA, Coventry, Humana, Medicare Railroad, UMWA and United Healthcare are accepted. Receipts can be given upon request. Debit or credit cards cannot be accepted at the community flu clinics.

The flu vaccine is also available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the department’s clinic, located at 1005 West Worley in Columbia. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) in 2009, more than 1,300 Missourians died from the flu and/or pneumonia.

"Getting a flu vaccine every year is your best protection from the flu", said Stephanie Browning, Public Health and Human Services director. "We encourage anyone over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated, especially if you have chronic medical conditions, are over the age of 65 or will spend time around a newborn during flu season."

Over a 31-year period, flu-associated deaths nationwide have ranged from about 3,000 to 49,000 each year. For more information on the flu, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.