(Mason City) — The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health’s Immunization Clinic will begin offering flu vaccines to the public starting Tuesday, September 4, 2012.
In addition to administering flu vaccine at the Health Department, nurses from the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health will provide the following public flu clinics:
| Date | Time | Location |
| Wednesday, September 5 | 9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Ventura Community Center |
| Thursday, September 6 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Mason City Senior Center |
| Thursday, September 6 | 1:30 PM–2:30 PM | Plymouth Township |
| Friday, September 7 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Rockwell Community Center |
| Friday, September 7 | 9:00 AM–9:30 AM | Swaledale Town Hall |
| Wednesday, September 12 | 9:30 AM–11:30 AM | Clear Lake Senior Center |
| Friday, September 14 | 11:00AM-12:30 PM | Zion Lutheran Church-Clear Lake |
| Monday, September 17 | 11:00 AM-1:00 PM | NIACC Activity Center |
| Tuesday, September 18 | 1:30 PM- 2:00 PM | Meservey Library |
| Tuesday, September 18 | 12:30 PM- 1:00 PM | Thornton Townhall |
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends yearly flu vaccination begin in September, or as soon as vaccine becomes available. The immunization provides protection against the influenza strains contained in the vaccine and lasts the whole season.
The Health Department will be offering the following types of flu vaccine:
- Traditional flu shot (ages 6 months and older) $23 (covered by Medicare Part B)
- High-dose flu shot (ages 65 and older) $41 (covered by Medicare Part B)
- Intradermal flu shots (ages 18-64) $25
- FluMist (ages 2-49) $25
Health officials says it is especially important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this season’s influenza vaccines differ from the strains included in the past two flu seasons. This new formulation will protect you from the most current flu virus that is circulating.
“The best way to prevent becoming ill by the influenza virus is by getting vaccinated,” said Karen Crimmings, Disease Prevention and Investigation Service Manager, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “We are offering several different types of vaccines for the public to choose from this year.”
The Health Department is excited to be able to offer the intradermal flu shot this year. It’s licensed for person 18-64 years of age. The vaccine works in the same way the standard flu shot works but it’s placed under the skin instead of the muscle. This provides less chance of a sore arm after vaccination.
The Health Department accepts most major health insurances. With insurance, no money is collected at the time of the vaccination; services are billed directly to insurance. Any remaining balance is billed to the client after insurance has paid for its portion of the service.
The Health Department Immunization Clinic is located in Mason City at 22 North Georgia Ave. (Mohawk Square) on the 3rd floor.
Regular Clinic Hours: 10:00 AM – Noon & 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM Monday-Friday
Upcoming Extended Clinic Hours
- Monday, October 1 10:00 AM-Noon & 12:30 PM-6:30 PM
- Saturday, October 20 9:00 AM-Noon
- Monday, November 5 10:00 AM-Noon & 12:30 PM-6:30 PM
- Saturday, November 17 9:00 AM-Noon
- Monday, December 3 10:00 AM-Noon & 12:30 PM-6:30 PM
For more information about influenza or the Health Department’s community flu clinic schedule, please call (641) 421-9321. Or visit our web site at www.cghealth.com where you can sign up for our electronic newsletter that provides notification of upcoming flu clinics and other helpful health information.
