Snohomish County is holding two separate clinics for flu and whooping cough shots for uninsured and low-income adults in Everett. Both clinics are free and open to the public.

· The first clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 18 during the WorkSource Community Resource Fair at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave.

· The second clinic will run from 2-6 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave. in Everett. This clinic is sponsored by the South Everett-Mukilteo Rotary Club and coincides with a free skating event for the public in the main ice rink.

The Snohomish Health District will provide 200 doses of adult flu vaccine and 200 doses of adult whooping cough vaccine, also called Tdap, at the WorkSource event; and 300 doses of each at the Comcast clinic.

Washing hands, covering coughs and staying home when sick are effective ways to reduce spreading and getting diseases. The best way to prevent illness is vaccination.

The flu season in Snohomish County is proving to be more severe than usual. Three adults in our county have died from flu complications in the past several weeks. Everyone six months and older should get a shot every year, since the flu vaccine changes to match the most common illnesses.

Vaccination is also the best protection against whooping cough. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is no longer at epidemic levels in Snohomish County, but cases are still being confirmed and it can be deadly for babies. It is especially important that all pregnant women and people – including teens – who are around newborns get the booster shot to protect the infant.