Winter is on its way in North Texas, and with colder temperatures comes the annual rise in respiratory illnesses like influenza. From September 29, 2025, to October 3, 2026, state health data recorded 10,345 Texans who died from the flu or pneumonia. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses that vaccination remains the most effective way to avoid severe illness.

Why Flu Spreads More Easily in Cold Weather

Health experts explain that lower humidity in the fall and winter allows virus‑laden droplets from coughs or sneezes to linger in the air longer, increasing the chance of infection. Additionally, the tiny hair‑like cilia in our nasal passages, which normally help clear particles, work less efficiently when the air is cool and dry. People also tend to spend more time indoors, creating environments where the virus can spread more readily.

What a Flu Shot Can Do

While a flu vaccine may not prevent every symptom, it significantly reduces the severity of the illness and the risk of hospitalization. Each year the vaccine is reformulated to target the strains health officials expect to be most common and harmful.

Free and Low-Cost Vaccination Sites in Tarrant County

Local churches, libraries and community centers are stepping up to make flu shots accessible to all residents. Below is a schedule of locations offering free or reduced‑price vaccinations:

• Oct. 20, 3‑6 p.m. – Ash Lane United Methodist Church, 1001 W. Ash Lane, Euless
• Oct. 21, 4:30‑6:30 p.m. – East Library and Recreation Center, 1817 New York Ave., Arlington
• Oct. 24, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. – Christ’s Haven Fall Festival, 4200 Keller Haslet Road, Keller
• Oct. 24, 1‑4 p.m. – St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 745 W. Pipeline Road, Hurst
• Oct. 25, 5‑7 p.m. – St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 2045 SE Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington
• Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–noon – The Church at Philadelphia, 4716 Wichita St., Fort Worth
• Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. – Grace Temple Seventh‑Day Adventist Church, 4200 E. Berry St., Fort Worth
• Oct. 29, 6‑8 p.m. – Diamond Hill Community Center, 1700 NW 37th St., Fort Worth
• Nov. 3, 10 a.m.–noon – New Birth Christian Fellowship, 8466 Camp Bowie West Blvd., Fort Worth
• Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m.–noon – RCCG Lighthouse of the Nations, 711 E. Broad St., Mansfield

Additional sites with extended hours include the Fort Worth Main Campus (1101 S. Main St.), Arlington Cooper Street (2920 S. Cooper St.), Fort Worth Granbury Road (6551 Granbury Rd.), Fort Worth Miller Avenue (3212 Miller Ave.), Lake Worth (3800 Adam Grubb Rd.) and Watauga (6601 Watauga Rd., Suite 122). Most of these locations operate from 8 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a brief lunch closure.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

Bring a valid photo ID and, if possible, your health insurance card—even though the vaccine is free or low‑cost, some sites may request this information for record‑keeping. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, let the staff know ahead of time.

Protect Your Family and Community

Getting vaccinated not only safeguards your own health but also helps protect loved ones, especially seniors and young children who are most vulnerable to complications. By taking advantage of these local resources, Tarrant County residents can help keep the flu season manageable and preserve the health of our neighborhoods.

For the most up‑to‑date information on vaccine availability, visit the Tarrant County Health Department website or call the local health hotline.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.