Phone or on-line registration, no waiting
Starting Monday, you can sign up for a flu shot in Onondaga County. We also have listings for other clinics in the CNY region.
ONONDAGA CO. -- Onondaga County will start taking appointments for flu shots on Monday. The clinics run from late October til mid-November, and you have to reserve your spot so that there's no waiting and no need to get there early. Appointments can be made at 435-5752 or at www.onflu.net
Kathy Mogle, who's the program coordinator for Onondaga County's Health Department, says that also takes away more excuses for not getting the shot. And, she reminds, you cannot get the flu from the immunization.
Onondaga County's clinics are open for 6 month olds and older. They'll give shots, and FluMist nasal doses are available for healthy people 2 to 49 years old.
Children under the age of nine who have never had a flu vaccine series before will need two doses of vaccine
The CDC the following high-risk groups get the vaccine:
- Pregnant women
- Children younger than five, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
The pneumococcal shot, sometimes called the pneumonia shot, is recommended for people over 65 years old and people 2 to 64-years-old with health problems, or who are on a drug treatment that lowers the body's ability to fight infection. Anyone 19 to 64-years-old who is a smoker or has asthma is also encouraged to get a pneumococcal vaccine. Usually one shot is enough, but if you get your first dose before 65 years old, additional doses may be needed. Talk to your health care provider to determine if you should get a pneumococcal vaccine.
Appointments for a flu or pneumonia vaccine are necessary and should be made in advance. Clinics are open to Onondaga County residents. Payment accepted for the flu vaccine includes: Medicare Part B, Medicaid, cash, or check. Most other major insurances can be billed. Coverage will depend on your individual plan. If you are not covered, you will be billed. The cost for an adult flu shot or adult FluMist® is $30, the cost for a children's flu shot or FluMist® is $15, and the cost for a pneumonia shot is $55. No one will be turned away due to their inability to pay.
The signups are for Onondaga County residents, but we have an ongoing listing of all area flu clinics as well---keep checking back as more are scheduled!
