Under the Affordable Care Act, most Americans will be required to have health insurance by 2014. People can already begin researching health insurance quotes online if they are considering purchasing individual health insurance.

In the meantime, many people in the country don't have health insurance. Being uninsured could mean having to suffer with health conditions that could be avoided. To help out this flu season, CVS Caremark and Direct Relief USA are teaming up to offer free flu shots to community clinic and health center patients who are uninsured.

"With every CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic location providing flu vaccinations this year, we want to make sure that as many people as possible have access to a flu shot, including patients for whom cost may be a barrier," said CVS Caremark president and COO Larry Merlo.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says everyone over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated against the flu. The best way to prevent the spread of the flu is with a vaccination, according to the CDC. Ear infections and dehydration are just a couple of complications that can arise from the flu.