EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The community can get their free flu vaccines at the El Paso Zoo next week. The City of El Paso Department of Public Health and the Fire Department, through the City's Be POWERflu campaign, will be providing free flu vaccines from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the zoo, located at 4001 E. Paisano Dr. According to the City in a news release, it is a drive-thru event at the zoo and vaccines are available for residents ages 6 months and older. No appointment or insurance is needed. "Every year during the fall and winter seasons, many El Pasoans become ill with respiratory diseases and the flu is one of those viruses that can cause severe complications requiring hospitalization and in some cases death," said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, City/County health authority. "The flu vaccine can save lives by providing protection against those complications, thus preventing hospitalization and death. It is extremely important that everyone get their flu shot annually before the flu season." Influenza (flu) is "a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs and can result in serious complications such as pneumonia, bacterial infections and even death," according to the City. For more information about the vaccine, you can visit the City's website here.