Poughkeepsie... Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus has announced the schedule for the County’s 2009 Flu and Pneumonia Vaccination Clinics.   The Dutchess County Department of Health will conduct Flu and Pneumonia Vaccination Clinics throughout the county from October 9th to October 27th.

"Getting the seasonal flu vaccine remains the number one way, in addition to hand washing, to prevent influenza from spreading throughout our community," said County Executive Steinhaus.  "We are again making flu and pneumonia vaccinations available to those in the highest risk categories through our public Flu & Pneumonia Clinics."

"As we have seen, Influenza is not a disease to be dismissed as nothing more than a cold, but rather one that can seriously affect our community," said Commissioner of Health Michael C. Caldwell, MD, MPH.  "Seasonal flu vaccine is available now.  Protect yourself by getting vaccinated against seasonal flu at your doctor’s office, local pharmacies, grocery stores or one of our public flu clinics."

Residents can learn more about seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 (swine flu) virus by logging on to https://www.dutchessny.gov/ and clicking on the "What to Do about the Flu" button.   There is extensive information to help answer questions about where to get a seasonal flu shot, how to protect yourself and your family against both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus as well as the latest updates on H1N1 vaccine availability.  The 2009 public seasonal flu clinic schedule can also be found online at https://www.dutchessny.gov/ or by calling the Department of Health's Flu Immunization Hot-Line at (845) 486-3435 for a list of upcoming flu clinics. The hot-line is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

The fee for flu vaccine at the public clinics is $39, and $58 for the pneumonia vaccine.  Both vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B, individuals must bring card to the clinic.  Adults enrolled in Medicare HMOs may be required to pay the fee.

Dutchess County’s public clinics will have seasonal flu vaccine available to:

• Anyone 50 and older
  
  
• Adults (18 years of age and older) with chronic health problems including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease and conditions effecting the immune system)
  
  
• Pregnant women
  
  
• Household contacts and out-of-home care givers of children
  
  
• Healthcare workers who provide direct patient care
  
  
• Household contacts of those at highest risk of complications from the flu.

All clinics will offer pneumonia vaccine to:

• Adults 18-64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions; and,
  
  
• Adults 65 years of age and older.

See complete clinic schedule below.

2009  Influenza/ Pneumonia Clinic Schedule

1. 10/9/2009   Poughkeepsie, Bright Horizons at Casperkill - 10am to 12pm 
        2330 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY  12601
   
   
2. 10/15/2009   Pawling, Lakeside Park - 10am to 12pm
   2 Lakeside Drive, Pawling, NY  12564
   
   
3. 10/19/2009   Fishkill, Fishkill Baptist Church - 10am to 12pm
         107 Route 82, Fishkill, NY, 12524
   
   
4. 10/22/2009   Rhinebeck, Dutchess County Fairgrounds - 10am to 12pm
   Mulberry Street Entrance, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
   
   
5. 10/23/2009   Poughkeepsie, Mid-Hudson Civic Center - 10am to 12pm
   1 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  12601
   
   
6. 10/26/2009   Beacon, Fishkill Correctional Facility Community Ctr. - 10am to 12pm
   Matteawan Road, Beacon, N.Y.  12508
   
   
7. 10/27/2009   Millbrook, Cornell Cooperative Extension - 10am to 12pm
   2715 Route 44, Millbrook, N.Y.  12545