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It's that time of year -- time to start planning on flu shots.

The County Health Department issued a press release today notifying residents that flu shot clinics are in the works.

The first one is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 18.

Tentatively because only about 1/4 of the needed vaccine has been delivered to the county so far.  The remaining doses should arrive in September or October.

Full press release after the jump:

The Genesee County Health Department has tentatively scheduled Seasonal Influenza/Pneumococcal Clinics pending receipt of vaccine. One-fourth of the vaccine has been received, while the remaining doses are scheduled for delivery during the months of September and October.  Updates will be published and broadcast through the Daily News, WBTA, the Batavian, and the Genesee County Health Department website at www.co.genesee.ny.us.  Verification of flu clinics can also be obtained by contacting the Health Department at (585) 344-2580, extension 5000.

Friday, September 18        10:00 am.-  2:00 pm    County Building #2, 3837 West Main St. Rd., Batavia
Thursday, September 24     4:00 pm –  7:00 pm    County Building #2, 3837 West Main St. Rd., Batavia
Thursday, October 15         9:00 am – 11:00 am    Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia
Monday, October 26        10:00 am –  1:00 pm    Batavia Downs Casino, 8315 Park Road, Batavia

The Health Department can bill Medicare Part B, American Progressive, MVP (Preferred Care), Independent Health, Excellus, Blue Cross of WNY and Univera.  Empire (State Insurance Fund) cannot be accepted.  Clients are responsible for co-pays or unpaid claims. For all others, the cost at time of vaccination is  $35.00 for Influenza and $55.00 for Pneumococcal vaccination.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recommends that all persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others should get the flu vaccine.  In other words, when there is an adequate supply everyone should get the seasonal flu vaccine.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), those individuals at greatest risk for serious complications, close contacts, and those most likely to get or spread the flu, should get the seasonal flu vaccines in September or as soon as vaccine is available. It is not too early to get the flu vaccine as the protection will not wear off before the flu season is over. Those at high risk include:

•    Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday.
•    Persons aged 50 years or older.
•    Children and adolescents receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
•    Women who will be pregnant during the fu season.
•    Adults and children with chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, blood or metabolic disorders (including diabetes) or any condition that can compromise respiratory function.
•    Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
•    Health care personnel.
•    Healthy household contacts and caregivers of children aged 59 months or younger or persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

The CDC clarifies that the annual flu vaccines contain a seasonal Influenza A (H1N1) virus which is not the new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (Swine Flu) that has caused the current pandemic. The persons prioritized for initial doses of H1N1 vaccine are not the same groups that seasonal influenza vaccine is targeted for.  The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against infection of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The CDC is very clear regarding the targeted group for H1N1 vaccination; however, availability and demand can be unpredictable, and there is the possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. In this setting, that target group would be initially reduced to a priority group to include those most at risk.

The Genesee County Health Department is committed to offering information to the community as it becomes available.  Future news releases will be provided as further information regarding clinics for seasonal influenza and H1N1 (Swine Flu) become available.