This year; in addition to offering an influenza vaccine to seniors of Putnam County, the Putnam County Health Dept. and the Putnam. County Office For the Aging will give both influenza and pneumonia vaccines in clinics offered throughout the county in the months of October and November. Vaccines will be given at no charge to persons over 65 who have a Medicare card. Other persons under 65 years with certain chronic conditions such as diseases of the heart; lung; kidney or with diabetes, anemia or cancer who should receive the vaccine will be charged $10.00 for influenza vaccine and $15.00 for pneumonia vaccine.
Influenza vaccine should be received yearly as different viruses are active each year. The immunization become effective in 1-2 weeks and should be received annually before the onset of the flu season. Persons over 65 and those with the chronic conditions noticed above should receive the vaccine. Caregivers of those persons should be immunized as well.
Pneumonia vaccine is given only once to persons over 65 years of age. Persons under 65 years of age with chronic conditions should receive the vaccine which may need to be repeated at a later date. Persons over 65 years of age who have received one pneumonia vaccine do not need another dose.
All persons who have a Medicare card must bring it to the clinic to show at the time of immunization.
Call the Putnam County Health Dept. at 278-6558 or the Putnam County Office For the Aging at 225-1034 to find the date; time; and location of a clinic near you.
