Kansas City Health Department offers free flu shots for qualified children

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Health Department is offering free flu shots this week to qualified children.

Children between 6 months and 18 years old who are uninsured or who qualify for Medicaid can get a free dose of either a nasal spray vaccine or a flu shot at the health department’s headquarters, 2400 Troost Ave., in Kansas City, Mo.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the flu virus has spread to 47 states, sending more than 3,700 Americans to the hospital and killing 20 children. Only Arizona, California and Nevada are not reporting major outbreaks in the flu virus.

Hours for the free vaccines are from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays.

The CDC says this flu outbreak is the worst they've seen since the 2003-2004 winter season.

Google says Internet users have unintentionally set a new record for the number of times they've Googled how to avoid coming down with the flu.

The CDC warns that this virus is unpredictable, although it seems to be waning, officials say it could rebound or worsen quickly. Across the country, schools, churches and companies are taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus by cleaning and discouraging shaking hands.

The nasal sprays and flu shots are being offered through the Vaccine for Children program.