The Columbia County Health Department has announced a series of upcoming seasonal flu vaccine drive-thru clinics for all Columbia County residents two years old and up.
Pre-registration is required for the date you wish to be vaccinated – failure to register ahead of time will mean you cannot be vaccinated on that date. Each individual must complete a registration form, and photo ID is required for each adult.
If you are sick with any symptoms associated with the flu or COVID-19 illness (fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, chills, new loss of taste or smell, or extreme headache), do not go to the drive thru clinic. Instead, call your primary care physician or the DOH at 518-828-3358 for further guidance.
Clinic registration can be completed by visiting the DOH website at www.columbiacountynyhealth.com and clicking on the link for the specific clinic you wish to attend. Those without internet access are advised to call the registration line at 518-828-335d ext. 1310. Leave your name and phone number and a DOH staff member will contact you to complete your registration.
The DOH accepts the following insurance plans: Blue Shield of North East New York, CDPHP, Fidelis, Medicare Part B, MVP, Medicaid, and United Health Care. Other senior plans may be billed, including some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for a lower fee or no fee for the flu vaccine. All others are expected to pay a fee of $42 for the flu vaccine, with the exact cash amount or checks accepted. Debit or credit cards are not accepted.
The drive-thru clinic schedule is as follows:
· Wednesday, September 23, 9-11 a.m., Roe Joe Library, Route 22, Hillsdale.
· Wednesday, September 30, 9-11 a.m., Columbia County Fairgrounds, Chatham.
· Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Columbia-Greene Community College upper parking lot, Hudson.
· Thursday, October 8, 9-11 a.m., Palatine Park, Germantown.
· Saturday, October 17, 9-11 a.m., Ichabod Crane Central School, Valatie,
· Thursday, October 22, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, New Lebanon Town Hall, New Lebanon.
The flu vaccine will also be offered by appointment only at the regularly scheduled immunization clinic every Tuesday from 1-3:30 p.m. at the county DOH building located at 325 Columbia Street, Hudson. An evening immunization clinic is also available on the third Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m.
All clinics are by appointment only. The flu vaccine is the best protection we have from the flu and its complications, and has become even more critical in the time of COVID-19. Talk to your doctor before getting the flu shot if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or a previous flu shot, or have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.