Flu season is coming! The Pasadena Public Health Department advises everyone in the community to make sure they and their loved ones are protected this year from the seasonal flu and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Three free flu clinics are being offered this fall to anyone 6 months and older; minors must be accompanied by parents or legal guardians.

• Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly Street. (This clinic requires pre-registration). Contact:  (626) 685-6724.
• Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Avenue. (626) 744-7300.

Vaccines also are offered at the Pasadena Public Health Department's Adult Immunization Clinic, 1845 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, during regular walk-in clinic hours from 8:15 to 11 a.m. and 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. Supplies are limited in all locations.

In addition to concerns over pertussis (whooping cough) and H1N1, influenza causes 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths nationally each year. The flu is an illness caused by a virus that affects the entire body and for some may cause pneumonia, dehydration and other serious complications, especially for those with other health conditions.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth.