FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Organizations across Kentucky are mobilizing today to provide free flu shots, as health officials share warnings about flu season. With reports of nearly 4,000 lab-confirmed flu cases and 10 flu-related deaths during the last flu season in Fayette County, experts emphasize the importance of vaccination. “You know we try to get the access as easy as possible, the more people that have flu shots the less flu we’ll see and fewer people who get sick. One of the things about flu shots it not only makes it so you don’t get the flu and you don’t get sick, but you also can’t spread it to anyone around in the community so we keep the numbers low that way too,” said Sara Ackerman, a physician assistant and Baptist Health. Outside the state Capitol in Frankfort, Baptist Health set up a free flu shot clinic, offering vaccinations that were administered in just minutes. “We’ve tried to get together with local agencies so we can offer free flu shots, it’s a part of 100-year anniversary with Baptist,” said Ackerman. Officials from Baptist Health noted that such distribution efforts significantly impact community health, aiming to mitigate the spread of the virus as the flu season begins. According to the Fayette County Health Department, approximately 80 percent of last year’s flu cases occurred in individuals who were not vaccinated. This statistic underscores the critical need for prompt vaccination, especially as flu clinics become available. “It’s important to get ahead of the game it takes about two weeks once you get the flu shot for your immunity to build up to the flu, so it’s better to get it before you start hearing that everybody’s you know getting the flu,” said Ackerman. With free clinics opening throughout the state, health officials say the best way to stay protected from the virus, is with a flu shot. Categories: Featured, Local News, News Tags: Baptist Health, community health, disease prevention, Fayette County, Flu Season, flu shots, health clinics, Kentucky, public health, Vaccination