Broome County Public Health Department And Office For Aging Flu Clinic Schedule For 2003 - 2004 Flu Season
BINGHAMTON, NY - The Broome County Health Department has received its supply of flu vaccine and will be offering the first clinic on Monday, November 3, 2003 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:30 p.m. at the Broome County Health Department, 225 Front Street, Binghamton. There is plenty of free parking at the Health Department building, which is at the corner of Front and Clinton Streets. Broome County Transit buses #7 and #8 stop at the Health Department. The Broome County Office for Aging will also offer the first flu vaccine clinic on Tuesday, November 4, 2003, from 1:30-3:00 p.m., at the Maine Federated Church, Route 26, Maine, New York.
All Broome County Health Department sponsored flu clinics, including the Office for Aging (OFA) Senior Center Clinics, follow the current CDC guidelines for flu vaccine administration. The following individuals are considered at high risk for developing complications of influenza and are eligible to receive a flu vaccine at these clinics:
- Persons aged 50 years or older.
- Residents and staff of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that care for people of any age who have chronic medical conditions.
- Adults who have chronic cardiovascular pulmonary disorders (lung conditions), including asthma.
- Adults with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus); renal dysfunction; liver diseases; blood dysarasias, like anemia; or who are immuno-compromised because of a disease they were born with; infection with HIV--the virus that causes AIDS; treatment with long-term steroids; or cancer treatment with x-ray or chemotherapy.
- Physicians, nurses and other personnel in both hospitals and outpatient-care settings, including emergency response workers.
- Household members who come in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza complications.
- Students and other persons in institutional settings (e.g. college students in dormitories).
The Broome County Health Department will also provide influenza vaccine to children aged 4 years and older who have chronic lung conditions, including asthma, chronic metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, or those with weakened immune systems due to medical conditions or medical treatments. Office for Aging sponsored flu clinics held at Senior Centers will not provide vaccines to children.
The Centers for Disease Control is encouraging healthy children aged 6-23 months to receive the flu vaccine. Parents are advised to seek flu shots for healthy children at their regular medical provider.
For those who are on Medicare, Medicare-Part B will pay for the flu vaccine. Individuals must present their Medicare Card to clinic staff. All other persons will be charged an $18.25 fee.
Residents are urged to call the Health Department Influenza Information Line at 607.778.3911, Option 4, to hear a recording of current clinic schedules or go to the Broome County Government website at www.gobroomecounty.com/hd/. Residents with questions concerning eligibility to receive a flu vaccine should call the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2839 or the Office for Aging at 607.778.2411.
CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator,
Broome County Health Department, 607.778.3921
email: jcchytilo@co.broome.ny.us
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