CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Clinic announced Monday that it’ll start offering appointment-only flu vaccinations at northeast Ohio locations starting Sept. 5. 

Appointments can be scheduled over the phone or online through MyChart, the clinic said. Patients can also get the vaccine at most scheduled in-person visits with a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or a physician, the clinic added. 

“Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection that leads to thousands of hospitalizations every year. It can result in severe illness and should not be taken lightly,” said Dr. Steven Gordon, chair of the Department of Infectious Disease at Cleveland Clinic, in a press release. “Annual vaccination is the most effective method to prevent the spread of influenza and is the best way to keep ourselves and our communities healthy during respiratory virus season.”

Last year, influenza hit Ohio hard. The Ohio Department of Health documented more than 1,400 hospitalizations for the virus at the end of Nov. 2022. That’s 35 times more from the five-year average between the 2016-17 and 2021-22 flu seasons. During a press conference earlier this month, ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff stated most providers should have the updated flu vaccine by early September. 

Vanderhoff also urged Ohioans to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and respiratory synclinal virus (RSV) if possible, as the Cleveland Clinic said it’s preparing for an influx of these infections. 

Cleveland Clinic said it plans to offer the new RSV vaccine for those 60 and older, and encouraged patients to discuss the potential of getting it with their doctor. The clinic urged continued vaccinations for COVID-19, as the new booster is expected to be available this fall. 

Vanderhoff added earlier this month that RSV is the “leading cause of hospitalizations for infants under 1-years-old.” Starting this year, there will be an RSV shot for babies, known as Nirsevimab. It was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vanderhoff expects the shot to be available by mid-October. 

Flu season can vary, but it typically starts in October and ends in May. The peak is between December and February, the clinic said. 

“Annual flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months and older, but they’re particularly important for those who are at a higher risk of severe complications,” the clinic said. “These groups include young children, adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women, individuals with chronic medical conditions and those with compromised immune systems. By getting vaccinated, individuals not only protect themselves but also contribute to community immunity, reducing the overall impact of the flu season.”

Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, tiredness and a dry cough.