DOVER — It’s officially fall, and that means flu season is beginning.

To combat the virus, the state will be holding a drive-through flu shot clinic Tuesday.

The Division of Public Health and Bayhealth will provide free flu shots from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Department of Transportation Administration Building’s front parking lot. The building is at 800 S. Bay Road.

All individuals at least 9 years old will be accepted.

American Sign Language interpreters and Spanish and Haitian Creole speakers will be on site to aid attendees. Participants should wear short sleeves or loose-fitting clothing and should not attend if they are sick.

For fastest service, complete the Influenza Vaccination Administration Record form and bring one form per person. Greeters will also have VAR forms on hand.

The state announced last week the first case of a variant influenza virus. The H3N2v virus, or swine flu, was diagnosed in a Sussex County minor, who had a minor case.

It is believed she caught the flu from pigs at a Maryland county fair.

There were more than 4,500 reported flu cases in Delaware during the prior flu season, including 15 deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a flu shot reduces the risk of illness by up to 60 percent.

For more information, and to obtain VAR forms, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/fluclinics.html. Further details can also be obtained by calling DPH at 1-800-282-8672.

To find flu clinics in your ZIP code, go to www.flu.gov.