VERONA — At least 540 adult doses of seasonal flu vaccine will be available free of charge Tuesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort and Casino Event Center.

The vaccine is being offered as part of a "Point of Distribution" drill, an emergency preparedness exercise in cooperation with the state Health Department, said County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. in a statement. The Oneida Nation is a "maintenance deliverable" site under the conditions of a state "Public Health Preparedness" grant to the county, the statement said.

The state is "providing at least 540 adult doses of seasonal flu vaccine to be used in this POD drill at the Nation and I urge the residents of Oneida County to take advantage of this opportunity as it is open to everyone," Picente said. The doses are being provided free for the purpose of the exercise, and otherwise would not be given to the county, the statement said.

The grant terms require "counties with international borders and/or tribal claimed lands to participate in public health preparedness," said county acting Director of Health Daniel Gilmore. "This presents a great opportunity to work with the Oneida Nation to provide flu shots to a larger portion of our population."

Several nurses from the county Health Department will join nursing staff employed by the Oneida Nation and the state Health Department in administering the vaccine. The doses are intended for adults age 19 and above, who should bring photo identification that includes date of birth.