Local residents can get a free flu shot next week while entering a drawing to win an iPad or PS4, thanks to a partnership between Legacy Health Endowment in Turlock, Valley Children’s Healthcare, Occu-Med and Westside Ministries.

The free mobile vaccination clinic will be held Dec. 11-13 at Westside Ministries. The vaccination clinic is open to residents living within Legacy Health Endowment’s Service Area of 19 zip codes in Stanislaus and Merced counties. In addition, nine school districts have been invited to bring their students to the clinic.

Those seeking the vaccination must bring a copy of a recent utility bill to confirm their residency in one of 19 zip codes in either southern Stanislaus County or Merced County. No appointment is needed.

Flu shot recipients will be entered into a drawing to win a free iPAD or PS4. Two prizes will be given away.

Stanislaus or Merced County residents who live in one of the following zip codes are able to participate in the free vaccination clinic: 95301, 95303, 95307, 95313, 95315, 95316, 95322, 95324, 95326, 95328, 95334, 95358, 95360, 95363, 95374, 95380, 95381, 95382, 95388.

The clinic will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 11-13 at Westside Ministries, 952 Columbia Ave., Turlock.

For more information, contact Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation at 559-353-7100.

The free vaccination clinic comes at a time of increased flu activity across the state, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The CDPH has recorded 11 deaths due to influenza since Sept. 30 of this year and there are already higher than expected number of hospitalizations.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness and can cause mild to severe illness, and result in hospitalization or death. Older people, young children and those with health conditions are at higher risk of serious flu complications. Last season, 80,000 people died from flu across the country.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. While even healthy people can get flu, pregnant woman, children under five, adults 65 years and older, and people with chronic conditions are at high-risk for flu-related complications.

To minimize the spread of the flu, the CDC also recommends washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or a tissue and staying home from work or school when you are sick.

For updated information on flu activity in California and around the country, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/