(Ithaca, N.Y., June 28, 2022) – Tompkins County Health Department is pleased to share with the community that our Community Health Services (CHS) Immunizations Clinic will be re-opening for the public on Fridays, beginning July 8th, at our office location at 55 Brown Road, Ithaca. The CHS Immunization Clinic space has been closed to the public since March 2020.
TCHD offers New York State funded vaccines at our immunization clinics for eligible children and adults who are either uninsured or underinsured.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers state funded vaccines to eligible children less than 19 years of age. Your children may be eligible for VFC if they:
- Are currently enrolled in Medicaid
- Have Child Health Plus
- Are underinsured: their insurance does not cover the vaccine
- Do not have insurance
- Are Native American or Alaska Native
The CHS Immunization Clinic provides vaccines for children that are required for school, as well as those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Many children need to receive vaccines during the summer to stay up-to-date and comply with school vaccination requirements. The 2022-23 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance can be found on our website.
The Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program offers state funded vaccines to eligible adults ages 19 and over. You may be eligible for VFA if you:
- Are underinsured: your insurance does not cover the vaccine
- Do not have insurance
- College students of any age are eligible to receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine through the VFA program, regardless of insurance status.
Adults ages 19 and older are recommended to remain up to date on vaccinations for a variety of reasons, including age, risk factors, and lack of prior immunization.
Vaccines Available at TCHD Immunization Clinics:
- COVID-19 vaccines (both Pfizer and Moderna, all age groups, call for availability)
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis)
- Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (for more info about Flu clinics, click here)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Meningococcal (MCV4)
- Polio
- Prevnar
- Td (tetanus, diphtheria)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
The CHS Clinic hours will be on Fridays, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, beginning Friday, July 8, 2022. Appointments are required; please contact the office directly at 607-274-6604 to schedule. You will be asked to provide information regarding your health insurance status, proof of income, and to provide a record of the vaccines you have received to-date. The VFA/VFC vaccines are free of charge, but a sliding scale administration fee may apply. Please call our office with any questions you may have about this service.
Face masks are required to be worn inside the TCHD lobby area, restrooms and clinic spaces. Face masks will be provided if needed but remain available locally, free of charge, at various locations.
Public Health Director Frank Kruppa stated, “Staying up to date on all vaccinations is key to reducing spread and severity of a variety of illnesses, including COVID-19. It is recommended that children follow a vaccination schedule from birth to age 18 as outlined by the CDC. TCHD is pleased to be able to re-open our clinic space to provide this necessary service to our community. We hope to see you and your families soon.”
Anyone who does not currently have a primary care physician or who is uninsured and seeking a local provider should call 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667).
The Tompkins County Health Department is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth and on Twitter at @TompkinsHealth. Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates or other county announcements via email or text.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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