Free flu shots available for Tampa Bay residents

FILE – In this Feb. 7, 2018 file photo, a nurse prepares a flu shot at the Salvation Army in Atlanta. The U.S. winter flu season is off to its earliest start in more than 15 years. An early barrage of illness in the South has begun to spread more broadly, and there’s a decent chance flu season could peak much earlier than normal, health officials say. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

by: WFLA 8 On Your Side Staff

Posted: Feb 13, 2020 / 01:18 PM EST

Updated: Feb 13, 2020 / 01:18 PM EST

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Do you need a flu shot?

Florida Blue is teaming up with Walgreens to offer free vaccines to residents across Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The free shots are available to people ages 18 or older. You don’t have to be covered by health insurance to take up the offer.

The CDC says at least 22 million people will be sickened by the flu and 210,000 were hospitalized At least 12,000 people have died so far this season.

Pinellas County is seeing elevated flu activity, while Hillsborough and Polk counties both have moderate levels of activity, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The following clinics are offering flu shots at no cost from 10 am. to 1 p.m.