It's the start of flu season and free vaccination clinics are back.

It is that time of year again, time to roll up sleeves and get an influenza vaccine to protect against serious illness and hospitalizations due to complications from the flu. For the very young, the elderly and those with certain health conditions, vaccinations can even prevent death. The vaccines are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and up.

Flu vaccinations can often be found at local pharmacies at no cost with insurance, but there are also free flu vaccine clinics that will be operating throughout the month of October.

The County of Monterey Health Department is partnering with schools and health care agencies, to provide immunizations throughout the county between Oct. 7 and Oct. 28. No appointment, ID or insurance card is required. The schedule is below.

4-7pm Wednesday, Oct. 7: Main Street Middle School, 411 Main St., Soledad

11am-2pm Saturday, Oct. 10: Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center, 850 5th St., Gonzales

1-4pm Tuesday, Oct. 13 and Wednesday, Oct. 14: CSU Monterey Bay Otter Student Union, Room 208, 3118 Inter-Garrison Road, Seaside

4-7pm Monday, Oct. 19: Alisal High School, 777 Williams Road, Salinas

11am-4pm Tuesday, Oct. 20: Alisal WIC Farmer's Market, 632 Alisal St., Salinas

10am-2pm Wednesday, Oct. 21: Monterey Peninsula College, Sam Karas Room, 980 Fremont St., Monterey

11am-2pm, Sunday, Oct. 25: Castroville Middle School, 10301 Seymour St., Castroville

4-7pm, Wednesday, Oct. 28: Mid Carmel Valley Fire Station, 8455 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel