CAMP HILL, Pa. — Everyone older than six months should get a flu shot by the end of October, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To make doing so easier, Ride Aid Corp. is providing seasonal flu shots at its stores across the country. Certified immunizing Rite Aid pharmacists are administering the shots, subject to state ­regulations.

“Getting a flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available is the best way to protect yourself from the flu and maintain one’s overall health, while helping prevent the spread of seasonal flu,” said Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy Jocelyn Konrad.

Flu shots, which are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, are available during pharmacy hours with no appointment necessary at Rite Aid stores. Rite Aid pharmacy locations can be found online at www.riteaid.com.

This year, Rite Aid pharmacies will offer a quadrivalent flu vaccine, which affords protection against four strains of the flu: the influenza A H3N2 virus, the influenza A H1N1 virus and two strains of influenza B virus; a standard trivalent vaccine; and FLUAD, a trivalent vaccine with adjuvant, an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response to vaccination, approved for people 65 and older.

Treating the flu costs the United States more than $87 billion annually, according to the CDC, and it is responsible for the loss of close to 17 million workdays each flu season.

To help mitigate this problem, Rite Aid announced it will again offer onsite workplace flu clinics staffed by certified immunizing Rite Aid pharmacists.

Rite Aid is also able to offer employers a voucher program, in which employees would receive a flu shot voucher to use at any Rite Aid pharmacy. Employers can learn about RIte Aid’s programs at www.shieldmyworkforce.com.