Free flu vaccines will be offered Dec. 3 at the Chester County Library during National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Chester County plans to observe National Influenza Vaccination Week – Dec. 2 through Dec. 8 – appropriately: It’s offering a free flu vaccine clinic.

In an effort to highlight the importance of obtaining the vaccine and to remind residents that it’s not too late, the Chester County Health Department, the Chester County Immunization Coalition, the Chester County Department of Aging Services, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health will sponsor the free session at the Chester County Library in Exton on Monday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. Anyone ages 6 months and older is eligible to receive the vaccine.

Flu clinics will continue to be held at the Government Services Center. Appointments can be made online at www.chesco.org/health/flu or by calling 610-344-6252. The vaccine is free for anyone ages 6 months to 18 years; adults pay $25. High-dose vaccine for adults 65 and older cost $35. Walk-in clinic hours are Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinics will not be held on county holidays.

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone over the age of six months receive a flu vaccine, which offers the best protection  against the flu. Thousands of people die and tens of thousands are hospitalized with flu complications each year. Those at highest risk of complications from the flu are children younger than 5, adults older than 65, people with certain health conditions, and pregnant women. Because the flu virus is constantly changing, it is important to get vaccinated every year.