Westchester County To Offer Free Flu Vaccine Clinics​

WHITE PLAINS, NY — County Executive George Latimer announced that the County Health Department will offer free flu vaccines for students at any college on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Westchester Community College and for residents age 3 and up at the county clinic in White Plains on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Latimer said to not put off getting your flu any longer.

"Make an appointment for one today," he said. "Flu can be miserable, and this vaccine will help keep you and your family healthy well into 2019.”

While the clinics are open to all, they are intended for people without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines. Register online for these flu vaccine clinics here. Appointments are available as follows:

• College students, Oct. 23, Westchester Community College Student Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Residents age 3 and up, Oct. 30, County Clinic, 134 Court St., White Plains, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Flu shots are also available for a fee from many area pharmacists and medical offices.

The county Health Department plans to provide up to 1,700 flu vaccines this fall. It has focused its public vaccination efforts on people who lack the means to get vaccinated elsewhere by bringing flu shots to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries throughout Westchester.

“Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu shot,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “Flu can make otherwise healthy adults and children very ill and it can be deadly. When healthier people get an annual flu shot, they help protect the people around them, including infants too young to be vaccinated, seniors and people with chronic health conditions, who are more vulnerable to flu complications.”

Flu activity is usually highest between December and February, but can last into May. One flu vaccine now provides protection all season long and can prevent illness or reduce the severity of flu symptoms. The vaccine becomes fully effective after about two weeks.

Amler said that anyone who does get a respiratory infection should cough or sneeze into their elbow, wash their hands frequently with soap and water, stay home until 24 hours after their fever subsides to avoid spreading germs, clean surfaces they touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones, and get plenty of rest.

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