MASON CITY, IA - Three medical facilities team up to encourage you to get a flu vaccination.
Local health care professionals say now is the time to schedule your appointment or attend a publc flu vacciniation clinic.
The flu vaccine will protect against three strains of the seasonal flu.
Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa and Mason City Clinic are working together to encourage people to get the flu vaccine.
Here's the most up to date flu clinic schedule:
Mercy – North Iowa: Mercy Home Therapy Shoppe, 1501 4th Street S.W., Mason City, will host public Influenza Vaccination Clinics from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, September 15 through November 25. No appointment is necessary. Curbside vaccinations for disabled persons unable to come into the store are available. A Mercy Home Care registered nurse administers the vaccine and it is Medicare approved.
Mercy Clinics also have begun scheduling for vaccination clinics. While some clinics are accepting established patients only, others are offering the vaccine to anyone who calls and schedules an appointment. Please call the Mercy Clinic nearest you for more information.
Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health: Seasonal flu vaccine will be available at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health Immunization Clinic, 22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300, beginning Monday September 21. The clinic will open early that first week: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, September 28, the clinic will resume normal business hours: 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. The clinic is closed from noon -12:30 p.m. for lunch. The seasonal flu vaccine cost: $22 traditional flu shot (ages 6 months and older); $25 FluMist nasal spray (ages 2-49) and $25 Thimersol-Free Shot (ages 3 and older).
Nurses from the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health will provide the following public clinics:
Mon. Sept. 14 11:00 a.m.-Noon Rockwell Community Center
Tues. Sept. 15 8:30-10:30 a.m. Mason City Senior Activity Center
Wed. Sept. 16 9:30-11:30 a.m. Ventura Senior Center
Mon. Sept. 21 12:30-2:30 p.m. Thornton Town hall
Tues. Sept. 22 8:30-11:30 a.m. Clear Lake Senior Center
Fri. Sept. 25 9:00-10:00 a.m. Swaledale Town Hall
Fri. Sept. 25 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake
Tues. Sept. 29 10:00-11:30 a.m. Plymouth Town Hall
Wed. Sept. 30 8:30-11:00 a.m. NIACC Activity Center
Fri. Oct. 9 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Hy-Vee West
Sat. Oct. 17 9:00 a.m.- Noon Health Dept. Immunization Clinic
Sat. Nov. 21 9:00 a.m.- Noon Health Dept. Immunization Clinic
Medicare
Medicare covers the cost of the seasonal influenza vaccine. Your health care provider/clinic will bill Medicare for you as long as you bring your Medicare card to your appointment.
Vaccine Protection
The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. This year’s influenza vaccine contains three new influenza virus strains. They are:
· A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus;
· A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;
· B/Brisbane 60/2008-like antigens.
