The Nassau County Department of Health has announced that 3,600 doses of influenza vaccine will be available next week at the Nassau Health Care Corporation’s six Community Health Centers for all eligible Nassau County residents.

PRE-REGISTRATION is required. Starting Wednesday December 8th at 9:00 a.m., appointments can be made by calling a 24-hour number: 393-7453. Appointments will be scheduled for flu shots to be given from Monday, December 13th through Friday, December 17th. Flu immunization will take place during daytime hours and some evenings. There are no out-of-pocket expenses.

Flu shots are available at these Community Health Centers for Nassau County residents who are:

• Aged 2 to 64 years with serious medical conditions (physician’s note required)
• Pregnant (physician’s note required)
• Aged 65 years and older.

The Community Health Centers (CHC) are located in:

• Elmont CHC --- 161 Hempstead Turnpike
• Freeport - Roosevelt CHC --- 460 North Main Street
• Hempstead CHC --- 100 Main Street
• Inwood-Lawrence CHC --- 270 Lawrence Avenue
• Long Beach Satellite CHC --- 615 Riverside Boulevard
• Westbury - New Cassel CHC --- 682 Union Avenue

In addition, letters from the Nassau County Department of Health have been faxed to almost 4,000 Nassau County doctors offering them a limited amount of flu vaccine. As of today, well over 1,000 primary care physicians who give direct care have responded to the letters. These physicians are now in the process of receiving a small amount of vaccine and will follow the CDC’s list of recommended high priority patients.

Later in December, Nassau County will receive 20,000 additional doses of vaccine, followed by 14,000 doses in January. Peak influenza season historically continues into March.. Nassau County nursing homes and hospitals have already received vaccine directly from the New York State Department of Health.