The Cayuga County Health Department recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccination each year. Everyone should be vaccinated yearly because flu strains often change from year to year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get vaccinated against flu soon after vaccine becomes available, preferably by October. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
Children aged 6 months through 8 years of age who have never received a seasonal flu vaccine need to get two doses of vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Parents should check with their child's health care provider for more information.
Certain people are at "high risk" of serious complications from seasonal influenza. These include people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.
We are also offering the "high dose" flu vaccine which is recommended for people 65 and older.
The Health Department has flu vaccine (flu mist or flu shot) available for children and adults available at our weekly immunizations clinics. Appointments can be made by calling the Cayuga County Health Department 315-253-1560. We will bill insurance and Medicare Part B. If you do not have insurance, no problem, give us a call.