TAMPA, Fla. - After a late-season warning that they would not be able to offer the typical in-school flu shots, Hillsborough County is now offering free evening flu-shot clinics for students.
Officials with the Florida Department of Health say they have seen a spike in the number of flu-like illnesses in students who attend public and private schools throughout Hillsborough County. It was just last month those state health officials reported Hillsborough as having the highest number of flu outbreaks of any county in the state.
To combat the number of growing cases in Hillsborough schools, the district has now teamed up with the Department of Health to host free flu-shot clinics across nine days at different schools around the county.
The first event takes place Tuesday evening.
The flu vaccine clinics will be held at five locations:
Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sickles High School, 7950 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, FL 33626
Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., King High School, 6815 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33610
Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Jefferson High School, 4401 Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Rd, Riverview FL 33569
Thursday, Dec. 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Plant City High School, One Raider Place, Plant City, FL 33563
A parent or legal guardian must accompany students. The flu shots are first-come, first serviced while supplies last.
The school district never explained why they were unable to provide the in-school shots this year.