The state suffered a spike in influenza-like illnesses this past winter and the Alabama Department of Public Health hopes to prevent the same this flu season by urging Alabamians to get their flu shots.

Elderly adults and young children are most at risk, however anyone can contract the flu and spread it to others.

“We do halve lab-confirmed cases in the state, so the season has not peaked,” said Cindy Lesinger, immunization division director with ADPH. “So people definitely need to get the vaccine. It takes about two weeks to build the immunity after you receive the vaccine, so

that’s why you you want to get it as soon as possible.”

To that end, the ADPH will hold a drive-thru flu clinic Wednesday in Athens. The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sportsplex, 1403 U.S. 31. Cost is $2, or free with a Medicare card.

There will be plenty of doses available to meet the need.

“We have 600 regular doses and more than 100 of the high doses for people 65 and over,” said clinic supervisor Daphne McElyea, who works at the Limestone County Health Department.

Most years the clinic runs out of flu-shot doses, but last year it didn’t, she said.

“Last year we did not have as many come through as we have in the past,” McElyea said.

If you can’t make it to the clinic Wednesday, you may obtain a flu shot for the same price at the Limestone Health Department at 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive in Athens, assuming there are doses remaining after the clinic.

The vaccine can lower the chances of catching the flu by more than 60 percent, according to ADPH. Other ways to avoid the flu include frequent hand washing, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying home when sick to prevent spreading the illness to others.

Lesinger said the flu season never really goes away as once believed. However, it does experience a peak, which is what people think of as the flu season.

She said there has been a lab-confirmed case of influenza in the last three weeks in the ADPH’s southwestern district, which includes Baldwin County.

She said if a doctor does not obtain a sample and send it the the health department, then the agency has no way of knowing about it.

The agency has a map it uses to record confirmed cases from week to week, she said.

How to attend

To attend Wednesday’s drive-thru clinic, motorists should enter the Sportsplex at the southeast entrance of 31. The entrance at the traffic light will be closed to inbound traffic but open to those exiting the clinic.

Other shot locations

The ADPH website also lists the following Limestone County locations to obtain flu shots:

• Athens Family Medicine, 1005 W. Market St., Athens, 256-262-6680;

• Capshaw Family Care, 27669 Capshaw Road, Suite A-2, Harvest, 256-216-1996;

• Limestone County Health Department, 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive, Athens, 256-232-3200;

• Limestone Correctional Facility, 28779 Nick Davis Road, Harvest, 256-233-4600;

• Medical East, 15243 Greenfield Drive, Athens, 256-771-0994;

• Walgreens Pharmacy 10981, 101 U.S. 31 North, Athens, 256-230-2799;

• Walmart Store, 1011 U.S. 72 East, Athens, 256-233-3568;

• West Limestone Family Care, 25678 West Limestone School Road, Elkmont, 256-232-1400.