Boston residents can get free flu shots during public clinics sponsored by the city throughout the month of December. 

The clinics offer vaccinations against the influenza virus, commonly referred to as "the flu."

Dr. Anita Barry, director of the Commission's Infectious Disease Bureau, stressed the importance of the vaccine in guarding against widespread illness.

"A person needs a flu vaccine every year and should get vaccinated to protect not only themselves but also their close contacts and their community," she said in a statement.

The following groups are considered high-risk and should get vaccinated as soon as possible:

• Pregnant women
• Children younger than five years old, but especially children younger than two years old
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Free clinics will be held on Dec. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 19 at St. Anthony’s Shrine Free Flu Clinic (100 Arch St.), on Dec. 10 at the Oak Square YMCA (615 Washingon St., in Brighton) and on Dec. 10 at the Joseph Smith Community Health Center (287 Western Ave., in Allston). 

All clinics are free for Boston residents aged three years and above. You can see the full calendar here. 

For updates on the flu virus and a complete list of vaccination clinics in Boston, go to www.bphc.org/flu or call the Infectious Disease Bureau at (617) 534-5611.