The City of St. Joseph is encouraging vaccination against this year’s flu strain which could include worse illness and a higher mortality rate.

The Health Department will hold its annual flu clinic Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Green Valley Baptist Church located at 3110 Cook Road.  The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to noon or while supplies last.

This year’s flu vaccine is a closer match for the H3N2 strain according to the city.

“The H3N2 strain associated with worse illness and higher mortality from the 2014-2015 flu season,” the department said in a news release. “According to the latest surveillance data, the same H3N2 strain continues to circulate.  Manufactures have prepared 171 million doses of influenza vaccine, of which 40 million have already been distributed.”

Everyone over the age of 6 months is being encouraged to get the vaccine.

The city’s free clinic on Oct. 7 is open to Buchanan County residents age 18 and older and who are not pregnant.

CLICK HERE for more details from the St. Joseph Health Department.