It’s been a busy flu season, but some relief is on the way Thursday.

The Rhode Island Department of Health will hold a free flu vaccine clinic open to everyone six months old and up this Thursday, Jan. 17, in the Mt. Hope High School cafeteria. Mt. Hope school nurse Ellen Estrella said everyone is welcome to attend the clinic, which runs from 4 to 7 p.m.

She wouldn’t be surprised if attendance is high, she said. Since most drug stores that offer the flu vaccine only administer shots to those aged 18 and older, pediatricians have been swamped by parents trying to get vaccines for their kids. Mt. Hope hosted a flu clinic just before Christmas, she said, and officials decided to host another after being asked to by officials from the Department of Health. As was the case during the last clinic, the vaccine is being supplied by the state and administered by nurses from The Wellness Company.

Ms. Estrella said schools have seen more cases of the flu than last year. Symptoms include a high temperature, coughing and body aches.

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