But to slow the spread and protect at-risk parts of the community from the annual bug, the city of Sunnyvale, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and El Camino Hospital are bringing 500 flu shots to the Columbia Neighborhood Center on Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Cheryl Canning from El Camino's Outreach Medical Services said the partnership started when the Public Health Department--based on the success of past programs--offered 500 shots to El Camino if they could be used for a community program.

"This is one of the things that El Camino Hospital has been trying to do as far as community health goes, programs to pool all our community resources," Canning said.

They decided to do it in Sunnyvale to try to help residents who may have missed out on the first round of flu shots this season.

"We had heard that the particular neighborhood around the Columbia Neighborhood Center is an under-served one," Canning said.

As has been the case all flu season, shots will only be given to at-risk groups, including seniors 65 and older, children 6 to 23 months old or people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, HIV and asthma. Anyone with compromised immune systems is also eligible, and there will be dosages for both adults and children.

Canning said El Camino anticipates getting more people than there are shots for because they are already getting calls from Oakland and San Francisco about the clinic. Shots are on a first-come, first-served basis and are free, but donations will be accepted.

The shots will be given out Friday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Columbia Neighborhood Center, 785 Morse Ave. For more information, call Cheryl Canning at 650.988.7652.