School of Nursing to Launch Flu Clinic Program Sept. 16
The University of Rochester School of Nursing will launch its flu immunization program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Hegedorn’s, 964 Ridge Road, Webster. Staff anticipates ample supplies of seasonal flu vaccine to cover nearly 40 public clinics scheduled through November.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that only a fraction of Americans who should get a flu vaccine are actually being immunized. In trying to predict the severity of the upcoming flu season, health officials are facing more uncertainties than normal due to the emergence of the H1N1 influenza virus. While the seasonal vaccine will not protect against the H1N1 virus, all eligible residents are encouraged to get flu shots early this year in advance of the regular and H1N1 flu season. This is especially true for people age 50 and over, children 6 months to 59 months of age and those with a greater risk of complications from the flu, including pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.
The CDC also recommends the seasonal vaccine for those in the H1N1 high-risk groups. That includes pregnant women, those who care for children younger than 6 months, all people from 6 months through 24 years of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, those over 50 and people between25 and 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from the flu. While a vaccine against novel H1N1 is in production, it will not be available at these Health Checkpoint clinics.
Most major insurance plans cover the cost of receiving a flu shot; insurance ID cards are necessary for proof of insurance. Otherwise, there is a $30 fee for the seasonal flu injection. The nasal-spray flu vaccine will be available at some clinics for medically qualified people for a fee of $40. Health Checkpoint clinics are open to people age nine and older. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
A list of all public clinics, along with detailed information on the seasonal flu, can be obtained at www.rochesterflu.org or by calling (585) 275-4816.
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER PUBLIC FLU CLINICS
Please note that, due to a shortage of available flu vaccine, the University of Rochester School of Nursing Flu Immunization Program will be canceling the remainder of its scheduled public flu clinics effective Oct. 20. To learn about other clinics in Monroe Country, click here.
Wed., Sept. 16: 9 am-1 pm Hegedorn’s, 964 Ridge Rd., Webster
Sat., Sept. 19: 9 am-1 pm Ridge Road Fire Station. 1299 Long Pond Rd.
Thurs., Oct. 1: 8 am-5:30 pm Greece Town Hall, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., off Long Pond
Thurs., Oct. 1: 9 am-1 pm Italian-American Community Center, 150 Frank DiMino Way
Fri., Oct. 2: 9 am-1 pm Dome Center, 2695 E. Henrietta Rd.
Fri., Oct. 2: 9 am-1 pm Ridge-Culver Fire Dept., 2960 Culver Rd., Irondequoit
Sat., Oct. 3: 9 am-1 pm Gates Fire Dept., 2355 Chili Ave., Gates
Sun., Oct. 4: 9:30 am-1:30 pm Laurelton Fire Dept., 405 Empire Blvd., Irondequoit
Sun., Oct. 4: 9 am-1 pm Victor Fire Hall., 34 Maple St. (Rte. 444), Victor
Mon., Oct. 5: 9 am-1 pm Webster Senior Center, 985 Ebner Dr., Webster
Tues., Oct. 6: 4-7 pm Herremas Food Market. 125 Pattonwood Dr., Irondequoit
Wed., Oct. 7: 9 am-1 pm Hegedorn’s, 964 Ridge Rd., Webster
Thurs., Oct. 8: 9 am-4 pm Greece Town Hall, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., off Long Pond
Thurs., Oct. 8: 9 am-4 pm Perinton Recreation Center, 1350 Turk Hill Rd.
Sat., Oct. 10: 8:30 am-1:30 pm Pittsford-Mendon Fire Dept., 101 Mendon-Ionia Rd.
Sun., Oct. 11: 9 am-1:30 pm Chili Fire Dept., 3231 Chili Ave., Company #1
Tues., Oct. 13: 8 am-12 pm Eastside YMCA, 1835 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd., Penfield
Wed., Oct. 14: 9 am-1 pm Penfield Recreation Center, 1985 Baird Road, Penfield
Thurs., Oct. 15: 10 am-4 pm Alesi Health Fair /Dome Center, 2695 E. Henrietta Rd.
Fri., Oct. 16 8 am-12 pm Eastside YMCA, 1835 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd., Penfield
Sat., Oct. 17: 9 am-1 pm Pittsford Fire Hall, 8 Monroe Ave., Station #1, Pittsford
Sun. Oct. 18: 9 am-1 pm West Webster Fire Dept., 1051 Gravel Rd., Webster
Mon., Oct. 19: 9 am-1 pm Brighton Recreation Center, 220 Idlewood Rd.
Background on InfluenzaThe flu, or influenza, is a respiratory illness that is easily spread from person to person. Symptoms include: fever, sore throat, muscle ache, chills and headache. Peak influenza activity usually occurs from late December through March. Each year, approximately 36,000 people die from flu or its complications and more than 200,000 hospitalizations occur. A new flu shot is developed each year based upon the strains of flu expected to be circulating. In addition to getting a flu shot, health officials stress other preventive measures such as thorough and frequent hand washing and staying home if ill with respiratory symptoms, to prevent exposing others.