The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) is offering flu shots at no cost at their Ringling and North Port immunization clinics. No appointment is necessary. For those who have still not received a flu shot this year, it’s not too late.
Annual vaccinations are safe and provide protection for each flu season.
Getting vaccinated helps protect you and your loved ones. Getting vaccinated yourself also protects people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and children, older people and people with certain underlying health conditions.
Flu shots are available at the following DOH- Sarasota locations only.
- William H. Little Health and Human Services Center, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota FL 34237
Monday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. (Closed between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- North Port Health Center, 6950 Outreach Way, North Port FL 34287
Monday 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday 8 a.m. -11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Health in Motion, Mobil Unit
Please see the current schedule for times and locations.
Children need to be vaccinated as well. Last week, 52 percent of reported outbreaks were in daycare (17 percent) or school (35 percent) settings.
Emergency department data from last week show that almost 20 percent of visits statewide are due to influenza-like illness in children younger than four.
Flu vaccination not only protects the elderly but can also significantly reduce a child’s severity of illness. All five pediatric flu deaths reported in Florida to date this year were in unvaccinated children.
Did you get a flu shot but still got the flu? Flu vaccination may make illness milder if you do get sick. Although the flu shot may not have prevented infection, it can still prevent serious life threatening effects and length of the flu.
Another recent CDC study showed that flu vaccination reduced intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients.
Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense to treat the flu if you get sick.
There is an adequate supply of antivirals in Florida, although the CDC is aware of some areas where there are delays in receiving new shipments. DOH recommends that you call ahead to your pharmacy for medication availability.
Visit FluFreeFlorida.com for more information about the flu.
For information about DOH-Sarasota, go to www.sarasotahealth.org.