The County Council of Delaware and the Department of Intercommunity Health Coordination have announced a free walk-in clinic scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the Ridley YMCA in Secane.

The free walk-in flu clinic aims to encourage people to get immunized to keep the infectious disease at an arm’s length.

County Councilman Dave White said in a statement, “As we say every year, the best way to prevent getting the flu, or spreading it to your co-workers and family members, is to get immunized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people get the flu vaccination in October, if possible.”

Meanwhile, a new study released by the University of North Carolina has revealed that vaccine-preventable illnesses among adults cost the American economy $8.95 billion last year, and unvaccinated people are responsible for 80 per cent of the tab.

The researchers led by Associate Prof. Sachiko Ozawa, studied ten vaccines recommended by the CDC. They examined the actual cost of medication, cost of inpatient and outpatient care, and the value of productivity lost by the economy from time spent seeking care.

The surprising findings of the study were detailed in the most recent issue of the journal Health Affairs.