CHAMPAIGN — It's still summer according to the calendar, but it's already time to get ready for the upcoming flu season.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has once again advised flu shots for everyone 6 months old and older, as soon as the vaccine is available. And around here, that's now.

"The CDC says, if you have it, give it," says Julie Pryde, administrator of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

Christie Clinic will be holding its first community flu shot clinics this weekend at six locations in Champaign and Vermilion counties, and others are starting soon.

This year's flu vaccine will cover the same three flu strains that were covered in last year's vaccine, among them the H1N1 virus that was the culprit in the pandemic two years ago. But everybody needs to be revaccinated each year, Pryde said.

Flu season in the U.S. runs from November through April, and having the vaccine on hand early puts the community in a good position to get more people vaccinated early, she said.

In addition to walk-in clinics, the health district plans to offer flu vaccine to all public health clients coming in for all its services and programs. Flu shots are free to all patients on Medicaid, Pryde said.

The following information on flu shot clinics has been provided by local health care providers.

Christie Clinic:

Christie Clinic has 12,750 vaccine doses available and will offer walk-in flu clinics for anyone six months old and up.

— Christie on Windsor and all satellite clinics in Urbana, Danville on Vermilion, Tuscola, Rantoul and Mahomet: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 17.

— Christie on Windsor in Champaign and Urbana: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8 and Nov. 5.

— Christie on Windsor, Champaign: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 and Nov. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15 and 17.

Carle:

Carle has 44,000 vaccine doses, and will provide them at walk-in and drive-through clinics in Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Piatt and Vermilion Counties and at all Carle doctor's offices.

— Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church, 1500 N. Lincoln Ave., U: Oct. 10-14 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Oct. 15 from 9 a.m.-noon. All dates will offer drive-through or walk-in flu shot clinics for patients six months old and up (but children ages 6 months to 4 years must be vaccinated inside the building.) Nasal vaccine and pneumonia vaccine also will be available.

— Carle, 1701 W. Curtis Road, C: Oct. 18-19, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Both days will offer walk-in flu shot clinics for patients six months and up; nasal vaccine and pneumonia shots also available.

— Carle, 1818 E. Windsor Road, U: Oct. 20-Dec. 31, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 22, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon: Walk-in flu shot clinics for patients six months old and up; nasal vaccine and pneumonia shots also available.

— Carle, 4000 Green Apple Lane, Monticello: Drive-through or walk-in flu shots for patients age 18 and older from 8-11:30 a.m. Oct. 12: walk-in flu shots for anyone six months old and older from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 20 .

— Carle, 1540 E. Grove St., Rantoul: 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 31: walk-in flu shots for anyone ages 3 years old and older.

— Carle 200 Lerna Road South, Mattoon: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 and 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 22: walk-in flu shots for ages six months and up.

Dates and times for Carle flu shot clinics in Mahomet, Tuscola and Danville will be scheduled soon, Carle officials said.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District:

Walk-in flu vaccinations at the district's main offices at 201 W. Kenyon Road, C: Starting Sept. 26 and continuing weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30-4 p.m.

Vermilion County Health Department:

Adult flu clinics at the health department, 200 S. College St., Danville:

Sept. 26: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Sept. 30, Oct. 5, Oct. 13, Oct. 14, Oct. 19: 8:30-3:30.

Oct. 6: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 20: 3-6:30 p.m.

Oct. 27: 3-6 p.m.

Oct. 28: 8:30-11:30 a.m.

For children six months to 18 years old, call 431-2662, ex. 249, to make an appointment.