Oswego County Health Department Offers Measles Vaccine and More

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department hosts a weekly immunization clinic from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner Street, Oswego. A variety of vaccines are available, including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), and appointments are required.

“In light of measles outbreaks in other parts of the country, the state Department of Health issued a health advisory late yesterday, reminding parents that the MMR vaccine is 97% effective in preventing disease and encouraging them to stay on-track with their children’s vaccinations,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor.

“Here in Oswego County, we offer weekly immunization clinics as a reliable and accessible resource to supplement our residents’ visits to their primary care providers,” she said. “The vaccines we offer not only help protect children and adults from preventable diseases such as the measles but also help build ‘herd immunity’ to safeguard our communities from an outbreak.

“Currently our MMR vaccination rate is 87.8%, one of the highest in the state, so I would encourage parents to continue following their child’s vaccination schedule to keep them and those around them safe and healthy. If you’re not sure about their vaccination status, reach out to their primary care provider for follow-up,” she concluded.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be spread by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include a fever and rash, with a cough, red eyes, runny nose and possible ear infections or diarrhea. Anyone not protected from it is at risk of serious health complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, especially those under 5 years of age.

For optimal protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose given to children aged 12 to 15 months, and the second dose given between 4 to 6 years of age.

Residents can call the Oswego County Health Department’s Preventive Division at 315-349-3547 to make an appointment and bring all insurance cards to the immunization clinic.

The health department participates with the following insurances: UMR POMCO Select; BlueCross BlueShield; Fidelis Care; Empire Plan; UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans; Aetna Medicare Advantage; American Progressive Medicare Advantage, Humana PPO Medicare Advantage, Lifetime Benefit Solutions Medicare Advantage, Wellcare Today’s Options Medicare Advantage, NYS Medicaid and Medicare Part B.

Residents with non-participating insurance may have to pay out of pocket, but receipts will be available to allow for self-submission to their insurance company.

The Oswego County Health Department operates on a sliding fee scale for vaccinations. No one is turned away due to their inability to pay.

For more information about childhood vaccines and the diseases they protect against, visit the CDC’s website.

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