(Tulsa, OK) The Tulsa Health Department will begin offering seasonal flu vaccinations for the 2012-13 flu season on October 1, 2012. This season’s flu vaccination requires only one shot for most individuals. Children under 9 who have not received two flu immunizations since July 1, 2010 will need a second dose 28 days (or later) after receiving the first dose. This season’s flu shot includes the pandemic 2009 H1N1, H3N2, and one other strain of flu expected to circulate this flu season.
“Flu vaccinations are the most effective way to protect yourself from the flu. Being sick with influenza can result in missed work, missed school, doctor visits and even hospitalization.” stated Tulsa Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dart.
Flu vaccines will be available for anyone who wants to be protected from influenza. The shot is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. Persons at high risk of serious complications from flu are especially advised to get the flu vaccine, including pregnant women and those with asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. Parents and family members of babies less than 6 months of age and people who live with or care for anyone at high risk for complications from the flu, including health care workers, should also get the vaccine.
Flu vaccinations are available for the following individuals and do not require any out of pocket expense at the time of vaccination:
Children who qualify for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program
Medicare Part B Non-HMO recipients • Individuals whose household income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines
Individuals with Community Care insurance plans
Individuals with HealthChoice insurance plans
Medicaid/SoonerCare recipients (does not include SoonerPlan)
Children and adults with health insurance that covers vaccines and those with incomes above 185 percent of the poverty level will be charged a fee of $25.00 for the flu vaccine. Payment may be made in the form of cash or check.
The flu vaccines will be offered to anyone over the age of six months on a walk-in basis Mondays thru Thursdays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the following Tulsa Health Department locations:
James O. Goodwin Health Center located at 5051 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK
Central Regional Health Center located at 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK
North Regional Health and Wellness Center located at 5635 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Tulsa OK
The flu vaccine will also be offered at the following locations:
Bixby Community Health Center
8120 E. 126th Street Bixby, OK 74008
Call (918) 369-3155 for clinic dates and times
Collinsville Community Health Center
1201 W. Center Collinsville, OK 74021-3111
Call (918) 596-8650 for clinic dates and times
Sand Springs Health Center
306 E. Broadway Sand Springs, OK 74063-7911
Call (918) 591-6100 for clinic dates and times
For more information visit www.tulsa-health.org.
