Where Can You Get a Flu Shot in West Des Moines?

The Polk County Health Department will offer flu vaccine clinics at several locations around West Des Moines and the metro next month.

Last year’s flu season was a stark reminder of how deadly flu can be, health officials with the Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said at a news conference earlier this month.

Hospitalization rates were high, especially among the elderly. The CDC said the highest proportion of elderly persons 65 and older were hospitalized since tracking began for the 2005-06 season, and pediatric deaths – 161 – were also the highest since tracking, excluding the pandemic year of 2009.

At the Polk County Health Department clinics, vaccines will be available in both mist and injections.

Most insurance plans will be accepted and those receiving the vaccine should remember to bring their cards with them. The cost for uninsured persons is $20. However, the health department says that no one will be turned away due to inability to pay.

Here’s the schedule in West Des Moines:

Oct. 1: 9-11 a.m., West Des Moines Human Services 318 Fifth Street

Oct. 2: 9:30-11:30 a.m., West Des Moines Senior Center, 217 Fifth St.

Oct. 22: 6-9 a.m., Valley Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway

Flu shots are also available at the Polk County Health Department’s clinic at 1907 Carpenter Ave., Des Moines, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and Tuesdays until 7 p.m. through the end of the flu season.