LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - With Labor Day behind us, the unofficial end of summer has come and gone.

That's why starting Tuesday, the Fayette County Health Department will begin offering flu shots. "We've already had six confirmed cases in Kentucky," explains Lois Davis, with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. "It's always important to get a flu shot cause it protects you from a very serious illness. It's a little concerning that we're seeing cases so early, especially since each year we have about 30 thousand deaths in the United States from flu or flu related illnesses. Hopefully with people getting vaccinated early it'll limit this number."

Last year, there were 143 confirmed influenza cases in Lexington. The Health Department provided over 5,000 vaccinations throughout the flu season. Health officials hope that more people take advantage of their program so the numbers of confirmed cases will decrease this year.

"We've got a lot of options for people to get the vaccination. We'll be offering flu shots every Tuesday throughout the flu season as well as our Free Flu Shot Friday on October 12th. We're just trying to urge people to come out and get vaccinated.

"There is no appointment needed and the cost is only $25.00 Many health insurances cover the vaccination as well as medicare and medicaid."

The shots are being offered at the Public Health Clinic which is off Newton Circle.

Flu season usually peaks in Kentucky in January and February, but health officials say there have already been cases of the flu reported in the commonwealth.