Mercy Urgent Care is proud and grateful for the veterans of Western North Carolina, and, this Veterans Day, our staff would like to give back to the brave individuals who have served in the military — some of whom are even members of our staff.

As a modest “thank you” to our veterans this season, Mercy is offering free flu shots for veterans on Monday, Nov. 11.

We know you’re tough — but the flu can affect anyone, and your best chance of prevention is annual vaccination.

Each year, Mercy treats more than a thousand patients for the flu or flu-related complications. While it varies from season to season, between 5 and 20 percent of the United States population comes down with the flu each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Millions of these individuals seek medical attention for the flu, and more than 200,000 people per year are hospitalized due to the illness and its complications. The flu is more than just an annual annoyance, and there are measures we can take to prevent it from spreading.

Bring your military ID to any of Mercy Urgent Care’s six locations on Monday, and get your flu shot for free!

To learn more about the flu vaccine — including a flu shot FAQ — click here.