Last year was a flu rough season for many and doctors are warning you to get your shots now so in the event that you get the flu, you’ll have a quicker recovery.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the flu killed 80,000 people this past season and put 900,000 in hospitals, making it the worst influenza season in decades.

The CDC recommends that just about everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine every year.

Last year, just 46.8 percent of the public got vaccinated.

Since the flu strain changes every year, doctors are warning: do not take your chances.

“The reason it is very important to get the vaccine is to protect them against influenza, especially in young children, anyone with immunocompromised conditions, because not only is the flu [shot] good for your own protection but it protects the people around you,” said Jylmarie Lewis with the Florida Health Department.

The CDC says most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks.

Young children, pregnant women and people with some chronic health conditions are at the biggest risk. 

Doctors say everyone can get the flu and it’s never too late to get your shot.

“Influenza or flu is spread through respiratory droplets. So when people have flu symptoms, they are coughing and sneezing. They’re blowing their nose and so they’re putting those respiratory droplets out into the air and anyone who breathes them can come infected,” said Lewis.

The free flu shots will be offered from now until Friday from 730 a.m. until 7 p.m.

To take advantage of this offer, visit the agency’s Sulphur Springs office located at 8605 N. Mitchell Ave. in Tampa. No appointment is needed.