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Here are important facts about flu in 2016-17
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Visitors to the Hall County Health Department's drive-thru flu shot clinic choose to go on foot through the clinic set up Monday morning in the parking lot of the J.A. Walters Family YMCA. Visitors in their vehicles could drive to the various booths for registration and insurance before making their way to the nurse’s station.

The Hall County Health Department offered a drive-thru flu shot clinic Monday at the J.A. Walters YMCA, and the department is among many groups that will continue to offer the vaccine in the coming months.

The agency said in a press release that influenza activity usually lasts from October through May but can occur any time during the year. Flu shots are available from 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-11 a.m. and 1-6 p.m. Tuesday and 8-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. Friday at the health department, which is located at 1290 Athens St. in Gainesville.

Flu shots are also offered at many doctors and pharmacies.

Here are a few important things to know this flu season:

WHICH FLU VACCINES ARE RECOMMENDED?

Among the shots recommended by the CDC are standard-dose flu shots, a high-dose shot for older people, a shot made with adjuvant for older people, a shot made with a virus grown in a cell culture and a shot made using a vaccine production technology that doesn’t require the use of the flu virus.

The nasal spray vaccine isn’t recommended “because of concerns about its effectiveness,” according to the CDC.

Some vaccines will battle three flu viruses, while others will battle four.

WHO IS MOST RECOMMENDED TO GET THE FLU SHOT?

“It is especially important for certain people, who are at more risk from flu-related complications, to get vaccinated,” according to the health department.

Pregnant women, children from 6 months to 5 years old, people 50 and older, those with chronic medical conditions and weakened immune systems, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and people who live with or care for those at high risk for flu complications are those considered to be at a higher flu risk.