As the cold and flu season approaches, Summit County’s public health director is recommending residents receive fresh COVID-19 and flu vaccines. 

Cases for both are likely to rise heading into the fall and winter, said Public Health Director Amy Wineland, adding, “COVID is here to stay.”

“COVID-19 will continue to mutate, not unlike the flu virus,” Wineland said. “It will be expected, going forward, that we will likely have a new COVID-19 shot every season like we do with flu.” 

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows more than 88% of Summit County residents have received an initial round of COVID-19 vaccines, while 24% have received the most recent booster shot. 

Staying up-to-date on boosters will be critical for avoiding severe infection, Wineland said, as each iteration is designed to target the current virus mutation. 

While vaccines remain free through most health insurers, access is available in the county for children and adults who are uninsured or underinsured, Wineland said. 

Walk-in clinics for COVID-19 and flu shots will be held at the Summit County Public Health Department building at 360 Peak One Drive from 2-4:30 p.m. every Monday through Nov. 13. 

Additionally, clinics will be held at Dillon Valley Elementary on Oct. 12 and Upper Blue Elementary on Oct. 19 from 3:30-6 p.m. in the school cafeterias. A clinic will also be held at the Summit County Elks Lodge in Silverthorne from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 24. 

The Biden administration also recently resumed its free COVID-19 testing program, making every United States household eligible to receive four at-home test packets. Those can be ordered online at COVIDTests.gov.