Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics
Throughout October and November, Free Vaccine Clinics Will Pop Up Throughout Los Angeles
Cedars-Sinai is opening free flu vaccine pop-up clinics to help the community combat the upcoming flu season, which is shaping up to be a rough one.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get their vaccines by eliminating barriers such as transportation and cost,” said Jonathan Vickburg, LMFT, associate director of Community Health Improvement at Cedars-Sinai. “Everyone who is eligible to get the flu shot—and that’s everyone 6 months and older—needs to get it to protect themselves and to protect their families and community.”
Experts base their flu predictions on several factors, including the flu season that just ended in the Southern Hemisphere in places like Australia and New Zealand. There, doctors say, they saw their worst flu season in five years.
Healthcare experts also are concerned because the past two years of masking and physically distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic also prevented flu outbreaks. But light flu seasons also lead to a decrease in flu immunity. This year, people are once again socializing, children are back in school, and most mask mandates have been removed, so experts worry we may see flu come back with a vengeance.
Although the flu is not as contagious or as deadly as COVID-19, a severe flu outbreak can lead to tens of thousands of deaths, especially among the elderly and the immunocompromised. The clinics are open to all and do not require participants to bring medical records.
In addition to flu shots, Cedars-Sinai will be administering COVID-19 boosters at the same locations. For the COVID-19 booster, those interested will need to provide identification and their vaccine cards.
“Our goal,” said Vickburg, “is to prevent serious illness and hospitalizations as we head into winter months. Vaccinations can help keep our community safe.”
Cedars-Sinai’s free flu clinic schedule:
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022
8-11 a.m.
Immanuel Presbyterian Church Parking Lot
663 S. Berendo St.
Los Angeles, 90005
Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022
8-11 a.m.
Hope on Union
2208 S. Union Ave.
Los Angeles, 90007
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022
8-11 a.m.
St. Kevin Catholic Church
4072 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, 90004
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
City of West Hollywood-Plummer Park Senior Center
7377 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, 90046
Monday, Oct. 24, 2022
8-11 a.m.
Wilshire Presbyterian Church
300 S. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, 90020
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
St. Basil Catholic Church
3611 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, 90005
Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Omicron Boosters and Flu Shots: What to Know This Fall