November 28, 2000
Broome County Health Department and
Office for Aging Senior CenterFlu Clinic Schedule
BINGHAMTON, NY - The Broome County Health Department has received the complete shipment of flu vaccine and will be providing flu vaccine for the following flu clinics, on a walk-in basis:
- Conklin Avenue Baptist Church, Hayes Street Entrance, Binghamton, NY, Wednesday, November 29, 2000 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Vestal Town Library, 320 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY, Friday, December 1, 2000 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church, 918 Front Street, Binghamton, NY, Tuesday, December 5, 2000 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Eastern Broome Senior Center, 3469 NYS Route 79, Harpursville, NY, Thursday, December 7, 2000 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Southside Senior Community Center, 136 Park Avenue, Binghamton, NY, Friday, December 8, 2000 from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton Avenue, Johnson City, NY, Monday, December 11, 2000 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- First Ward Senior Community Center, 226 Clinton Street, Binghamton, NY, Thursday, December 14, 2000 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Endicott Senior Community Center, 19 Madison Avenue, Endicott, NY, Friday, December 15, 2000 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Greenman Senior Center, 37 Pine Street, Binghamton, NY, Tuesday, December 19, 2000 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
All Broome County Health Department sponsored flu clinics, including the Office for Aging 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 65 and older.
- Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary (lung conditions) or cardiovascular systems, including children with asthma.
- Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus); renal dysfunction; liver diseases; blood dysarasias, like anemia; or who are immunocompromised 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.
- Children and teens 6 months to 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. Parents are advised to seek flu shots for all high-risk children at their regular medical provider. Only uninsured/underinsured children over the age of three, in the above risk categories, can be served at the Broome County Health Department sites.
- Women who will be in their second and third trimester of pregnancy during flu season (over 14 weeks of pregnancy).
- Physicians, nurses or household members who come in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza complications.
Medicare-Part B will pay for the flu vaccine. Individuals must present their Medicare Card. All other persons will be charged an $8.00 fee. Due to the high volume of attendance at flu clinics, the Health Department is unable to provide receipts. Those with insurance coverage requiring a receipt should seek their flu shot at their regular medical provider.
The Broome County Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Surgeon General's Office are encouraging healthy people to wait until late-December to seek a flu shot. This is to insure that those at highest risk of influenza complications get vaccinated first. The Health Department and the Office for Aging urge those people who have insurance which pays for flu vaccine or who have a regular medical provider, to get their flu vaccine at their doctor's office.
Residents are encouraged to call the Health Department Influenza Information line at 607.778.3911 to hear a recording of current clinic schedules or go to the Broome County Government website at www.gobroomecounty.com.