Where to Get a Flu Shot in Chicago

As Chicago city health officials prepare for the winter, protecting Chicago's citizens from the flu virus is high on their list of necessities. Each year, about 200,000 Americans are infected with the flu and 36,000 die from flu-related complications. In order to minimize the risk to the citizens of Chicago, officials have begun a campaign to educate the public about the dangers of the flu and to prompt Chicagoans to get their flu shots.

To prepare for the upcoming flu season, officials with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) with support from the Chicago Department on Aging (CDoA) are holding clinics where they will offer free flu shots throughout the city to citizens of Chicago. More than 100 clinics will be held throughout the months of October and November and will continue into the early part of December. Officials are working to close the gap in the low number of African-Americans and Hispanics who receive the flu shot every year by holding clinics in the communities with a higher percentage of ethnic citizens.

The free flu shot clinics are open to everyone, but high-risk individuals are urged to take advantage of the program. Vaccinations against pneumococcal infection, a complication of the flu, will also be offered. Though the flu shot must be repeated annually, pneumococcal vaccinations are generally required only once to provide ongoing immunity. Vaccinations are free, but senior citizens should bring their Medicare cards with them.

The locations and times of the free flu shot clinics throughout Chicago are:

Mon. Oct. 15 - CHA - Princeton (Ripperton) Apts. 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 4250 S. Princeton Ave. 60609
Mon. Oct. 15 - 12^th Ward - Ald. Cardenas - Our Lady of Fatima Church 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 3845 S. California Ave. 60632
Tue. Oct. 16 - Mann Park @ Hegewisch 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 13000 S. Carondolet Ave. 60633
Tue. Oct. 16 - Samaritan Family Services 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.. 1333 W. Devon Ave. 60660
Tue. Oct. 16 - CHA - Albany Terrace Apts. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 3030 W. 21^st Pl. 60623
Wed. Oct. 17 - CHA - Dickens/Burling Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 2111 N. Halsted St. 60614
Wed. Oct. 17 - Park Manor Congregational Church 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 7000 S. King Dr. 60637
Wed. Oct. 17 - Mather Cafe Plus - Chatham 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. 33 E 83^rd St. 60619
Wed. Oct. 17 - Phoebe's Place 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1225 W. 117^th St. 60643
Thu. Oct. 18 - Vincennes Senior Center 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 7326 S. Yale Ave. 60621
Thu. Oct. 18 - CDOA - Central West/Media Kick-off 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 2102 W. Ogden Ave. 60612
Thu. Oct. 18 - CHA - Lathrop Senior Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 2717 N. Leavitt St. 60627
Fri. Oct. 19 - CHA - Armour Square Apts. 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 3120 S. Wentworth Ave. 60616
Fri. Oct. 19 - CDOA - Southwest Regional Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 6117 S. Kedzie Ave. 60629
Fri. Oct. 19 - CHA - Division/LaSalle Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 116 W. Elm St. 60610
Fri. Oct. 19 - 31^st Ward - Ald. Suarez - St. Genevieve Church 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 2451 N. Lamon (Maher Hall) 60639
Sun. Oct. 21 - St. Mark International Christian Church 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 832 N. Leclaire Ave. 60651
Mon. Oct. 22 - 47^th Ward - Ald. Schulter - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave. 60625
Mon. Oct. 22 - CHA - Wicker Park Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1414 N. Damen Ave. 60622
Mon. Oct. 22 - 11^th Ward - Ald. Balcer - McGuane Park Fieldhouse 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 2901 S. Poplar Ave. 60608
Tue. Oct. 23 - 17^th Ward - Ald. Latasha Thomas 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 7811 S. Racine Ave. 60620
Tue. Oct. 23 - 46^th Ward - Ald. Shiller - Clarendon Park Fieldhouse 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 4501 N. Clarendon Ave. 60640
Tue. Oct. 23 - CDOA - Northeast Regional Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 2019 W. Lawrence Ave. 60625
Wed. Oct. 24 - 48^th Ward - Ald. Mary Ann Smith 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5533 N. Broadway St. 60640
Wed. Oct. 24 - CDOA - Northwest Regional Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave. 60618
Wed. Oct. 24 - 29^th Ward - Ald. Isaac Carothers 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5253 W. Madison St. 60644
Thu. Oct. 25 - 30^th Ward - Ald. Reboyras - St. James Parish 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5730 W. Fullerton Ave. 60639
Thu. Oct. 25 - CDOA - Southwest Side Senior Services Organization 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 6012 S. Archer Ave. 60638
Thu. Oct. 25 - CHA - Paul Stewart Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 401 E. Bowen 60653
Fri. Oct. 26 - Hyde Park Neighborhood Club 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5480 S. Kenwood Ave. 60615
Fri. Oct. 26 - Altgeld Gardens 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 951 E. 132^nd Pl. 60627
Fri. Oct. 26 CDOA - Southeast Regional Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 1767 E. 79^th St. 60649
Fri. Oct. 26 - 25^th Ward/CHA - Ald. Solis - Collins Senior Home 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1401 S. Blue Island 60608
Sat. Oct. 27 - 33^rd Ward Office - Ald. Richard Mell 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 3649 N. Kedzie 60618
Sun. Oct. 28 St. Pius V Church 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1910 S. Ashland Ave. (enter from parking lot) 60608
Mon. Oct. 29 - 37^th Ward - Ald. Emma Mitts 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5346 W. North Ave. 60639
Mon. Oct. 29 CDOA - Abbott Park Satellite 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 49 E. 95^th St. 60628
Mon. Oct. 29 - 23^rd Ward - Ald. Zalewski - Bethel Reform Church 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 5433 S. Austin Ave. 60638
Tue. Oct. 30 - 4^th Ward - Ald. Toni Preckwinkle 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 4659 S. Cottage Grove, Ste. 203 60653
Tue. Oct. 30 - 44^th Ward/CHA - Ald. Tunney Hattie Callner Senior Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 855 W. Aldine Ave. 60657
Tue. Oct. 30 - Mather Cafe Plus - Higgins 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 7134 W. Higgins Ave. 60656
Wed. Oct. 31 - South East Asian Center 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 5120 N. Broadway St. 60640
Wed. Oct. 31 - CDOA - Renaissance Court 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 78 E. Washington St. 60602
Wed. Oct. 31 - 6^th Ward - Ald. Freddrenna Lyle 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 406 E. 75^th St. 60619
Wed. Oct. 31 - Chinese Community Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 250 W. 22^nd Pl. 60616
Thu. Nov. 1 -34^th Ward - Ald. Carrie Austin 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 507 W. 111^th St. 60628
Thu. Nov. 1 - 19^th Ward - Ald. Rugai - Mt. Greenwood Park Fieldhouse 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 3721 W. 111^th St. 60655
Thu. Nov. 1 - CDOA - Portage Park Satellite 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 4100 N. Long Ave. 60641
Fri. Nov. 2 - Marquette Park Fieldhouse 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 6734 S. Kedzie Ave. 60629
Fri. Nov. 2 - 40^th Ward - Ald. O'Connor - Mather H.S. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 5847 N. Lincoln Ave. 60659
Fri. Nov. 2 - CHA - Garfield Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 3700 W. Congress Pkwy. 60624
Sun. Nov. 4 - Villa Guadalupe Senior Services, Inc. (Community Rm.) 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 3201 East 91^st St. 60617
Mon. Nov. 5 - CHA - 91^st & South Chicago Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 9141-77 S. So. Chicago Ave. 60617
Mon. Nov. 5 - Saint Bede the Venerable Parish Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 4420 W. 83^rd St. 60652
Mon. Nov. 5 - 39^th Ward - Ald. Margaret Laurino 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4404 W. Lawrence Ave. 60630
Tue. Nov. 6 - Hanul Family Alliance (formerly Korean American Center) 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 5008 N. Kedzie Ave. 60625
Tue. Nov. 6 - CDOA - West Town Satellite 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 1613 W. Chicago Ave. 60622
Tue. Nov. 6 - CHA - Judge Green Apts. 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 4030 S. Lake Park Ave. 60653
Wed. Nov. 7 - CDOA - Chatham Satellite 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. 8300 S. Cottage Grove 60619
Wed. Nov. 7 - CDOA - Englewood Satellite 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 653 W. 63^rd St. 60621
Wed. Nov. 7 - Mather Cafe Plus - Central 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 3235 N. Central Ave. 60634
Thu. Nov. 8 - 45^th Ward - Ald. Patrick Levar 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5205 N. Milwaukee Ave. 60630
Thu. Nov. 8 - 28^th Ward - Ald. Smith - Bethel New Life (Community Rm.) 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4006 W. Lake St. 60624
Thu. Nov. 8 - 13^th Ward - Ald. Olivo - West Lawn Park Fieldhouse 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. 4233 W. 65^th St. 60629
Thu. Nov. 8 - 5^th Ward - Ald. Hairston - Don Nash Community Center 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1833 E. 71^st St. 60649
Fri. Nov. 9 - 10^th Ward - Ald. Pope - Trinity Council Knights of Columbus 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. 11207 S. Ewing Ave. 60617
Fri. Nov. 9 - CDOA - Austin Satellite Site 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 5071 W. Congress Pkwy. 60644Nov. 9 - United in Faith Church 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 6525 W. Irving Park Rd. 60634
Sun. Nov. 11 - Greater Galilee MB Church 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 1308 S. Independence Blvd. 60623
Tue. Nov. 13 - 38^th Ward - Ald. Thomas Allen 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5817 W. Irving Park Rd. 60634
Tue. Nov. 13 - CDOA - Southwest Regional Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 6117 S. Kedzie Ave. 60629
Tue. Nov. 13 - 8^th Ward - Ald. Michelle Harris 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 8539 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 60619
Wed. Nov. 14 - Patrick Sullivan Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1633 W. Madison St. 60612
Wed. Nov. 14 - CDOA - Northeast Regional Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 2019 W. Lawrence Ave. 60625
Thu. Nov. 15 - 41^st Ward - Ald. Doherty - Olympia Park Fieldhouse 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 6566 N. Avondale Ave. 60631
Thu. Nov. 15 - CDOA - Southeast Regional Center 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. 1767 E. 79^th St. 60649
Thu. Nov. 15 - Benton Community Settlement 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 3052 S. Gratten Ave. 60608
Fri. Nov. 16 - St. Kevin's Church 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 10501 S. Torrence Ave. 60617
Fri. Nov. 16 - Montrose Baptist Church 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 4411 N. Melvina Ave. 60630
Fri. Nov. 16 - Japanese American Center 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 4427 N. Clark St. 60640
Sat.Nov. 17 -Family Vaccination Day @ West Side Technical Institute9 a.m. - 1 p.m.2800 S. Western Ave.60608
Sat.Nov. 17 - FamilyVaccinationDay@WilburWrightCollege9 a.m. - 1 p.m.4300 N. Narrangansett Ave.60634
Sat.Nov. 17 - Family Vaccination Day @ KennedyKingCollege9 a.m. - 1 p.m.6301 S. Halsted St.60621
Sat.Nov. 17 - FamilyVaccinationDay@RichardDaleyCollege9 a.m. - 1 p.m.7500 S. Pulaski Rd. 60652
Sun. Nov. 18 - St. Francis of Assisi Church 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. 813 W. Roosevelt Rd. 60608
Mon. Nov. 19 - CDOA - Northwest Regional Center 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave. 60618
Mon. Nov. 19 - CHA - Greenview Apts. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 847 N. Greenview Ave. 60622
Mon. Nov. 19 - CHA - Lincoln Perry Apts. 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 3245 S. Prairie Ave. 60616
Tue. Nov. 20 - 9^th Ward - Ald. Beale - Metropolitan Family Center 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 235 E. 103^rd St. 60628
Tue. Nov. 20 - 7^th Ward - Ald. Jackson - United Missions COGIC 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 2423 E. 75^th St. 60649
Tue. Nov. 20 - CDOA - Renaissance Court 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 78 E. Washington St. 60602
Mon. Nov. 26 - 1^st Ward - Ald. Flores - Wicker Park Fieldhouse 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1425 N. Damen Ave. 60622
Mon. Nov. 26 - 32^nd Ward - Ald. Waguespack - Holstein Park 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 2200 N. Oakley Ave. 60614
Tue. Nov. 27 - 50^th Ward - Ald. Bernard Stone 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 6199 N. Lincoln Ave. 60659
Tue. Nov. 27 - 18^th Ward - Ald. Lona Lane 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 8146 S.Kenzie Ave. 60652
Tue. Nov. 27 - 2^nd Ward - Ald. Robert W. Fioretti 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Location TBA
Fri. Nov. 30 - 20^th Ward - Ald. Willie B. Cochran 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 6357 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 60637
Sun. Dec. 2 - St. Sabina Church 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 1210 W. 78^th Place 60620
Mon. Dec. 3 - 14^th Ward - Ald. Burke - Polish Highlanders Place and Banquet Hall 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 4808 S. Archer Ave. 60632
Mon. Dec. 3 - 49^th Ward - Ald. Joe Moore 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 7356 N. Greenview Ave. 60626
Wed. Dec. 5 - 3^rd Ward - Ald. Dowell - Charles Hayes Center 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 4859 S. Wabash Ave. 60653
Thu. Dec. 6 - City Hall 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 121 N. LaSalle St.
This list of Chicago's free flu shot clinics can also be found at the City of Chicago's website at http://egov.cityofchicago.org.

High-risk citizens should visit one of Chicago's free flu shot clinics or to get their flu shot from their doctor or pharmacy. Walgreen's pharmacies are offering flu shots at their stores during scheduled clinics for $24.99. CVS pharmacies also are holding clinics where the flu shots are $30, or $27 for customers with a CVS Extra Care discount card. According to its website, CVS requires those receiving flu shots to be at least eighteen years old. Call your local store or check online at www.Walgreens.com or www.CVS.com for clinic dates and times at individual stores.

Factors that increase the risk of complications from the flu include: those age 50 and older, those with chronic medical conditions - including asthma or other lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, blood disease, or a suppressed immune system from medication, HIV infection, or other immune disorder, pregnant women, children ages six months to five years of age, health care workers, including those who care for an ill or elderly family member.

While there will be plenty of flu vaccine on hand this year, Chicago residents are encouraged to come early. The body takes about two weeks to build up full immunity, creating a window of exposure time for those who wait. For those who are infected with the flu, antiviral medications are available that can help, but they generally have to be given at early onset of flu symptoms. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing a high fever with chills, muscle aches, a headache, a dry cough, and often stomach symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Getting a flu shot cannot give you the flu. The vaccine is created with the dead flu virus particles. While flu shot recipients may experience side effects including soreness at the injection site, a mild fever, and slight achiness, it will not develop into the flu. The flu shot is believed to be 70-90% effective, depending upon the health of the person being immunized, but health officials stress taking precautions to prevent the spread of the flu. According to the CDC, you should wash your hands often, get plenty of sleep, stay home when you are sick, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough to prevent catching or spreading colds and the flu.

Sources: http://egov.cityofchicago.org - press release, Flu Shots Available, Officials Advise Chicagoans, October 18, 2007
www.cdc.gov
www.walgreens.com
www.cvs.com