First Flu Clinic Scheduled For Friday

The Rockland County Department of Health holds its first flu vaccine clinic this Friday, Sep. 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert L. Yeager Health Center in Pomona.

Residents 60 and older with identification showing their age can receive the vaccine for free. Everyone must show proof of Rockland County residency such as a driver’s license or utility bill. Appointments are not needed.  The clinic will take place in Building A’s Exhibition Hall at 50 Sanatorium Road.

A $30 fee will be charged for children nine and older and adults through age 59.

“Getting the flu vaccine is the main way to prevent the flu and its complications,” said Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, the county’s health commissioner.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and actually protect against the flu virus. It is recommended that everyone six months old and older should get the flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine will provide protection through the flu season.

The health department will be giving the quadrivalent flu vaccine which the Food and Drug Administration has approved for use against four-viruses expected to be most common this flu season. The quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against four different influenza viruses - two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses.

As the health department receives more shipments of the vaccine, additional flu vaccine clinics will be scheduled.  For more information about the flu and the flu vaccine clinics visit https://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/programs-and-services/flu/ or call 845-364 –2520.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness, usually with fever, cough, body aches, and cold-like symptoms, caused by influenza viruses.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease) are at high risk for serious flu complications.