Pulaski Health Center To Offer Flu Vaccine Clinics

Submitted Article

PULASKI, NY -It’s that time of year again. The signs of autumn are around us and along with cooler weather, come colds and the flu to mark the change in season.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, flu-related complications are responsible for 10,000-40,000 deaths, 50,000-300,000 hospitalizations, and approximately $1-3 billion in direct costs for medical care in the U.S. each year.

The Pulaski Health Center (PHC) will offer a series of flu clinics for those seeking flu vaccinations starting October 2nd and running through Dec. 6 at its 61 Delano St. location in Pulaski.

The cost is $25 for flu shots and $40 for pneumovax.

A special flu immunization clinic will also be held on Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Diabetes Health Fair at the Pulaski High School.

The $25 fee will be due at time of service that day.

They flu clinics that are scheduled are presently only for those 18 years and older until PHC receives the children’s vaccine that is presently unavailable.

Additional notice will be provided to the community when the children’s vaccine becomes available to PHC.

“The flu is caused by a virus, so antibiotics are not effective,” said PHC Medical Director Dr. Patrick Carguello. “The flu vaccine has been a very effective tool to prevent the flu. October and November are the prime times to be vaccinated but even being vaccinated as late as January can prevent a late virus from developing.”

Serious illnesses such as strep throat, measles, and chickenpox sometimes have flu-like symptoms according to Dr. Carguello. The CDC recommends seeing a doctor if symptoms persist, become severe or localized in the throat, stomach or lungs, or if other symptoms such as skin rash, vomiting or behavioral changes occur.

Influenza, or flu, and other respiratory viruses can be transmitted in one of two ways: 1. By inhaling infectious particles in the air (like respiratory secretions from a cough or sneeze), or, 2. By touching respiratory secretions, usually on the skin, of an already-infected person and then touching one’s eyes or nose.

Shaking hands, for example, with an infected person, or touching environmental surfaces (like doorknobs or handrails) that have been contaminated with flu virus particles and then touching your eyes or nose may transmit the virus.

“Other than vaccination, the single most important step people can take to help prevent getting the flu is to wash their hands,” said Dr. Carguello. “Hand washing is especially important after interacting with children since they are very susceptible to the flu.”

PHC’s flu clinics are scheduled on the following dates at the PHC:
Thursday, Oct. 2, 6 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. – noon
Monday, Oct. 13, 6 – 8 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 3, 6 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 – 11 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 – 11 a.m.
Make up date of:
Saturday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. – noon.

Pulaski Health Center is a family-oriented health care practice that provides Northern Oswego and Southern Jefferson County residents with a variety of comprehensive health care and related services. The center is accredited through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

Incorporated in 1969 as Northern Oswego County Health Services, Inc. (NOCHSI), the facility operates as Pulaski Health Center and is governed by a volunteer board of directors from area communities.

For additional information on the services provided through Pulaski Health Center, call (315) 298-6564. missing or outdated ad config

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