The Galveston County Health District has been offering free flu vaccines around the region this month and will make a stop in Friendswood from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce. The district began offering the free vaccines after it recognized a surge in cases locally. The district had over 1,000 cases this season as of December, compared to 138 the same period last year, the district said in a release. Brazoria County has had 1,325 flu cases as of Jan. 12, according to a news release. “We’ve been concerned about this trend for several months and that level of concern ticks up with each new case,” said Dr. Philip Keiser with the Galveston County Local Health Authority in a district news release. “Such a dramatic early season spike could be an indication of a long and nasty flu season yet to come.” The vaccines are being offered at other locations throughout the week. A full schedule is available on the health district's website.