URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — With flu season right around the corner, Carle Health is hosting several community influenza (flu) vaccine clinics throughout October at Carle Health Urbana on Windsor. The flu shot is recommended for those ages six months and older to help prevent life-threatening complications, which can be worse for infants, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.

“The flu virus changes year to year, and an annual flu shot helps protect you from current flu strains,” Neena Tripathy, MD, medical director, Primary Care and Ambulatory Pediatrics, said. “Even if you received a flu shot last year, receiving the current formula can help prevent the spread of influenza and can lessen the severity of some cases.”

Officials at Carle Health are encouraging patients to consult their medical provider and receive their influenza vaccinations in late September through October, before it can spread throughout the community.

In 2025, Carle Health flu clinics will be held as follows:

Carle Urbana on Windsor, located at 1818 E. Windsor Rd. – Urbana, IL 61802

• Wednesday, Oct. 8, 8 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 9, 8 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 10, 8 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• Wednesday. Oct. 15, 8 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 21, 8 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.

Patients can schedule their flu clinic appointment on their MyCarle account or by calling the Patient Support and Access Center at (217) 902-6240. Please check-in for your appointment at the front desk on the second floor.

Carle Danville Medical Office Center at The Riverfront, located at 516 W. Madison St. – Danville, IL 61832

• Drive-thru clinic on Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Carle Mattoon on Lerna, located at 200 Lerna Rd. South – Mattoon, IL 61938

• Drive- thru clinic on Thursday, Oct. 9, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Patients do not need to schedule an appointment to attend a drive-thru clinic.

Other opportunities to receive flu shots in the region include:

• A flu clinic for pediatric patients only on Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Carle Health Urbana on Windsor. To make an appointment for this clinic date, please call the Patient Support and Access Center.
• Flu shots will also be available at the Carle Health Mobile Health Clinic during hours of operation.

“Carle is committed to making it easy for community members to have access to these preventative opportunities,” Dr. Tripathy said. “These clinics are a convenient, local option for community members to receive their flu shot, keeping their loved ones safe and healthy during the height of flu season.”

Patients can also request a flu shot during a regularly scheduled Primary Care appointment. Nasal Flu Mist will not be available at any Carle Health location. The high-dose vaccine will be available for patients 65 and older or those who are immunocompromised at a scheduled Primary Care visit. To streamline the experience for participants, flu clinics will not offer the COVID-19 or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. Patients should bring their current insurance card and ID to any clinic they attend.

Carle Health encourages everyone to take extra precautions in the fall and winter months by increasing handwashing and limiting contact with anyone displaying flu symptoms.

Visit Flu Central at Carle.org for more information about upcoming flu clinics and local vaccination resources.