LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington announced its first two lab-confirmed flu cases of 2023-24.

According to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, the city had 3,472 lab-confirmed flu cases and 16 flu-related deaths in the 2022-23 flu season. About 80% of the cases were in people who were not vaccinated.

Free flu shots are available for anyone 6 months and older at the 2023 Free Flu Shot Clinic from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Central Baptist Church, 110 Wilson Downing Rd. Pre-registration is required, so sign up now on the public health website. The high-dose vaccine for ages 65 and older will also be available at this year’s event in limited quantities.

Free flu shots are available for uninsured/underinsured people by same-day appointment only at LFCHD’s Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike. Please call 859-288-2483 Monday-Thursday to make an appointment; walk-ins will not be accepted in the Public Health Clinic.

The seasonal flu shot is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older and is especially important for people at the highest risk of serious complications from the flu: infants and young children, pregnant women, anyone with underlying medical conditions and adults 50 and older.

In addition to helping prevent you from getting sick with flu, the head department said a flu shot can reduce the severity of your illness if you do get flu and reduce your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization.

According to the health department, lab-confirmed cases only reflect a small percentage of flu cases in Lexington, so the actual case count may be higher.