SVH adds three additional flu vaccine clinics as the holidays approach.

As word got out that the flu season had arrived early, local flu vaccine clinics did a steady business throughout the month of October. Salinas Valley Health reports that its first four clinics saw more than 830 people vaccinated in Soledad, Gonzales, East Salinas and Castroville.

Now, as the holidays approach, SVH is adding three additional free flu vaccine clinics beginning Wednesday, Nov. 4. No appointments are necessary.

"Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to protect themselves and their families from the flu," said Dr. Allen Radner, SVH president and CEO.

"The strong turnout at our first four clinics shows the importance of these community resources," he said. "We're grateful to our nurses and non-clinical teams who volunteer their time to help keep our community healthy."

The first clinic on Nov. 4 is being held from 3-6pm, inside the Expo Room of the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St., King City.

The second clinic will be open from 4-7pm, on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County, 85 Maryal Drive, Salinas.

From 2-6pm, on Tuesday, Nov. 17, a clinic will be held at the Hartnell College Student Center, 411 Central Ave., Salinas.

The incidence of flu in California is considered high, with the Bay Area region, of which Monterey County is included by the California Department of Public Health, labeled as "very high," with a test positivity of nearly 20 percent. Most of the cases are Influenza A.

More than 1.8 million people in the Bay Area have been vaccinated against the flu since July, according to the CDPH.

As of Oct. 24, 87 people had died in the state from flu since August, including two pediatric deaths.