FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2017
Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645
lernerj@co.rockland.ny.us 

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Announces Changes to Flu Vaccine Program; Introduces Community Health Director

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day today announced changes to the county's flu vaccine program that will make it easier for more people to get vaccinated.

He also introduced Dr. Maria Cecilia Mosquera who recently joined the Rockland County Department of Health as Director of the Center for Community Health.

"At Dr. Mosquera's suggestion, we have moved our flu clinics to different places in the community to make it easier for people to get their flu shot," the County Executive said during a public flu clinic held in Spring Valley. "We will also be in Haverstraw, in New City, at RCC as well as at the health center complex in Pomona."

The CDC recommends that just about everyone get a flu shot.

"The flu isn't just a bad cold," Day said. "It's dangerous. It can kill."

Every year millions of people are sickened, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and tens of thousands of people die from flu, according to the CDC.

Other changes announced by the County Executive:

• Rockland has changed the age requirement for the flu shot. Everyone over the age of 6 months can get immunized in our clinics.

• Rockland County has lowered the price to $25 – cheaper than the $40 price at many pharmacies. The flu shot remains free for people over 65 with Medicare and those who are younger and have Medicaid. The County provide receipts so people who are privately insured can submit for reimbursement.

• Rockland County ordered 1,500 doses of vaccine this year – the quadrivalent vaccine that protects against four strains of influenza. All doses come in prefilled single-use syringes and the vaccine is preservative-free and latex-free.

The County Executive also introduced Dr. Mosquera, who formerly worked at the New York City Department of Health in a joint program with the Department of Education to provide health care.to vulnerable children in school.

She is a board-certified pediatrician and is also trained in public health and preventive medicine.

She grew up in Panama and has lived in many places throughout this country. Dr. Mosquera speaks Spanish, which will help immensely in our efforts to reach Rockland County's growing Latino population, Day said.

Upcoming flu clinics:

Friday, September 29, 1 pm – 4 pm at the Haverstraw WIC office, 26 New Main Street, Suite 1, Haverstraw.
• Friday, October 6, 1 – 4 pm at the Robert Yeager Health Center, Building A, second floor rotunda clinic area, Sanatorium Road, Pomona.
• Friday, October 13, 1 pm – 4 pm at the Robert Yeager Health Center, Building A, second floor rotunda clinic area, Sanatorium Road, Pomona.
• Friday, October 20, 1 pm – 4 pm at the Spring Valley WIC office, 14 South Main Street, 2nd floor, Spring Valley.
• Friday, October 27, 1 pm – 4 pm at the Haverstraw WIC office, 26 New Main Street, Suite 1, Haverstraw.
• Wednesday, November 1, 1 pm – 4 pm at the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road, 1st floor Conference Room, New City.
• Friday, November 3, 1 pm – 4 pm at Rockland Community College, Student Union Building, Room 3217, 145 College Road, Suffern.

The vaccine is free of charge if you:

• are 65 years and older (please bring identification with proof of age)
• have Medicare or Medicaid (please bring your card)
• are uninsured or under-insured