The flu vaccine is available in more locations than ever before, with many convenient options for Onondaga County residents with health insurance.   For these reasons, this year the Onondaga County Health Department, in cooperation with the Spanish Action League,  will be holding one public flu and pneumonia vaccine clinic, with a special emphasis on offering vaccines for uninsured individuals.  This clinic is scheduled on Friday, October 25th from 1:30 pm -4:30 pm, at the Spanish Action League (LaLiga), located at 700 Oswego Street, Syracuse, NY 13204.  Residents who would like more information on this flu and pneumonia vaccine clinic are encouraged to call the Health Department’s flu hotline at 435-5752.

This clinic is a walk-in clinic and no appointment is necessary.  The fee for the flu vaccine is based on a sliding fee scale, family income, and family size.  The cost for a flu vaccine will range from
$0 – $30.  Pneumonia shots will be $65.  Medicaid and Medicaid-managed care will be accepted as well. Nobody  will be turned away due to their inability to pay.

Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, explained, “Getting your flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent getting the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over six (6) months old get a flu vaccine.” Morrow further emphasized that the flu vaccine is especially important for children and adults with high risk conditions such as asthma.

The Onondaga County Health Department flu and pneumonia vaccine clinic will provide flu vaccines for anyone six (6) months of age and older.  Furthermore, FluMist„µ (a vaccine that is sprayed inside the nose) will also be available for those who prefer an alternative to the traditional flu shot.  FluMist„µ is only recommended and offered to healthy children and adults ages 2-49 years old.

The CDC continues to reinforce that an annual flu vaccine is particularly important for persons at high risk for complications from the flu, or for those who have contact with people at high risk.  Those include the following:

„X Pregnant women
„X Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old
„X People 50 years of age and older
„X People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
„X People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
„X People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
o Health care workers
o Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
o Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Children under the age of nine who have never had a flu vaccine series before will need two doses of vaccine (either the shot or FluMist®).  The second vaccine should be given one month after the first shot or FluMist®.  If your child is under age nine (9) and only received one dose of vaccine last year, they should receive one dose this year.

Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect your health as well as your family, friends, and others.  Get your flu vaccine to protect yourself and others!  For more information, call the Health Department’s flu hotline at 435-5752.