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We may be waiting for a vaccine for COVID-19, but we already have one for the flu.

And starting later this month, 11 L.A. County libraries will be the site of free flu shot clinics on specific days — some locations even have drive-thru options.

Health experts say it's critical that even healthy people get a flu shot, since it will be the first cold and flu season in the U.S. to overlap with the coronavirus pandemic.

One positive sign: Australia and other southern hemisphere countries just finished a record low flu season, experts say in part because people got vaccinated, wore masks and physically distanced.

Flu shots work. Last season the vaccine kept 4 million Americans from getting sick and 3,500 from dying, according to the CDC. If you don't like shots, you can get the vaccine via nasal spray.

You do not need an appointment or health insurance for the county's free library clinics, but health officials urge you to fill out a consent form ahead of time. You can find that form here: flu shot consent form.

Los Angeles County health officials also offer other advice on their website about how to get free or reduced-cost vaccinations this flu season.

L.A. COUNTY'S FREE FLU SHOT SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Angelo M. Iacoboni Library: 1 to 4 p.m.
4990 Clark Ave, Lakewood | 562-866-1777

Thursday, Oct 15

East Los Angeles Library: 1 to 4 p.m.
4837 E 3rd St, Los Angeles | 323-264-0155

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Culver City Julian Dixon Library: noon to 3 p.m.
4975 Overland Ave, Culver City | 310-559-1676

Sorensen Library: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
6934 Broadway Ave, Whittier | 562-695-3979

San Fernando Library: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
217 N Maclay Ave, San Fernando |818-365-6928

Saturday, Oct. 24

West Covina library: 9 a.m. to noon
1601 W West Covina Pkwy, West Covina | 626-962-3541

Monday, October 26

Rosemead Library: 12:30 p.m to 3:30 p.m.
8800 Valley Blvd, Rosemead | 626-573-5220

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Malibu Library: 9:30 am - 12:30 p.m.
23519 Civic Center Way, Malibu | 310-456-6438

Wednesday, Nov. 4

Huntington Park Library: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
6518 Miles Ave, Huntington Park | 323-583-1461

Monday, Nov. 9

Lancaster Library: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
601 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster | 661-948-5029

Correction: A previous version of this story gave the wrong date for free flu shots at La Crescenta Library. That location's event occurred in October. LAist regrets the error.

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