Health department offering
vaccines by appointment
Becky Long • Clay County Progress Clay County Health Department Director Clarissa Rogers asks county commissioners to approve the new rate schedule for flu shots. She said most insurance covers the flu vaccine.
By Becky Long
Publisher
Commissioners approved the Clay County Health Department fee schedule for flu vaccines on Oct. 6 just in time for the beginning of flu season.
The rate for the inactivated quadrivalent, high-dose flu vaccine is $69.94 plus a $22.17 fee to administer it. However, Health Department Director Clarissa Rogers said flu vaccines are free with most insurance plans. The health department also offers a cash pay option of $35 that includes administering the vaccine. Fees were based off Medicare reimbursement rates.
The quadrivalent vaccine protects against the four different viral strains that research suggests will be the most common in the upcoming season, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
October is typically when the majority of people begin receiving flu vaccines, according to Rogers. Last year the health department administered more than 400 influenza vaccines.
While the flu season occurs in the fall and winter, it can spread year-round. Flu activity traditionally peaks between December and February, according to CDC.
Rogers said the flu can be serious especially to those who are most vulnerable such as the elderly, infants and people who are immunocompromised.
“The flu can lead to hospitalization and even death,” Rogers said. “Getting vaccinated is an important strategy to prevent getting and spreading the flu virus.”
A study performed by the CDC in 2020 showed that during the 2018-2019 flu season, vaccines helped decrease hospitalization rates by 41 percent.
There is no way of knowing how many cases of flu occurred locally last year because influenza is not a reportable disease. However, Rogers said the CDC posts weekly surveillance reports where data related to influenza like illnesses is recorded to monitor flu activity at: www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm.
The Center for Disease Control recommends a yearly flu vaccination for anyone 6 months of age or above. Rogers said the health department has flu vaccines available to all qualifying age groups.
When asked if a person can receive multiple vaccinations at once, Rogers said in some cases yes. “You can administer the flu and pneumonia vaccines simultaneously as well as the flu and COVID vaccine,” she said.
“There are certain guidelines associated with other vaccines, such as live vaccines; if not given on the same date, they must be spaced at least four weeks apart,” Rogers said. “Also, for high-risk patients who are recommended to get Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23, the 13 should be given first and then eight weeks later the 23 can be administered.”
As of Monday, Oct. 10, vaccinations and EKGs are available by appointment only. Therapeutic injections will be given on a walk-in basis.
If you have questions or concerns about vaccines, the schedule in which they can be administered, or to schedule an appointment, call 389-8052.