FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee), will be providing free influenza (flu) and Hepatitis A (HepA) vaccines throughout Lee County during the month of December. Staff will utilize the mobile units funded by LeeCARES. A total of 80 flu vaccines and 30 HepA vaccines will be available at each site.
The flu vaccine is available for anyone 6 months or older. All unvaccinated residents are strongly encouraged to get their flu shot as soon as possible. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and its potentially serious complications.
Vaccination is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and will continue, weather permitting, until 12:30 p.m. There is no fee for the vaccine, and no appointment or doctor’s order is necessary. Parking is limited at some sites. These are not drive-thru sites; attendees are asked to walk up to the testing area.
For individuals 65 and over that would like the high-dose flu vaccine, please call 239-461-6100 to schedule an appointment at our Michigan Avenue location.
Wed., Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Bonita Springs Public Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs
Fri. Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hope PACE Center, 1201 Wings Way, Lehigh Acres
Wed., Dec. 16, from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library, 3095 Blount St., Fort Myers
Fri., Dec. 18, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hope Chest – North Fort Myers, 13821 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers
Wed., Dec. 23, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd N., Cape Coral
Wed., Dec. 30, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres
Influenza Vaccine
The best time to receive a flu vaccine is before flu viruses begin spreading in the community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu so plan to get vaccinated early in the fall before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
According to CDC, getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however, flu vaccination has many other important benefits. Last year’s vaccine may not protect against the current year’s strain.
Even if the vaccine does not fully protect against the flu, the vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter—even in microscopic amounts—from contact with objects, food or drinks contaminated by feces (stool) of an infected person.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A.
More Information on COVID-19
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage.
