FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2015
Contact:  Scott Salotto (845) 638-5645
                Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, DO, FAAFP (845) 364-2512

OLDER ADULTS: GET THE IMMUNIZATIONS YOU NEED – THEY'RE NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN!

NEW CITY, NY - - September is Healthy Aging Month.  Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert encourage older residents to check with your doctor to make sure you have all the recommended immunizations (shots, vaccines) you need.

"Immunizations are NOT just for children - getting your needed shots on a timely basis is important for everyone, from infants to older adults, to help prevent many diseases that could result in serious health problems," said Dr. Ruppert.

Vaccines recommended for older adults can prevent influenza (flu), shingles (herpes zoster), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and pneumococcal disease (pneumonia).  You may need one or more vaccines, even if you received vaccines as a child or as a younger adult. The specific vaccines recommended for adults may depend on factors such as age, health conditions, lifestyle and risk factors. Ask your doctor which ones are right for you.

Staying healthy is a priority for all of us - and it's especially critical for those with chronic conditions. Adults with chronic conditions are more likely to develop complications from certain vaccine-preventable diseases, including long-term illness, hospitalization, and even death.

If you are traveling outside the United States, you may need additional vaccines.  Ask your doctor about which vaccines you may need at least 6 weeks prior to your travel. Make sure to keep track of all your vaccines to ensure you are up-to-date and have maximum protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Health Department's Adult Immunization/Foreign Travel Clinic offers immunizations to prevent a variety of illnesses, including Hepatitis A & B, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, pneumococcal disease (pneumonia), meningitis, typhoid, and yellow fever.  To make an appointment, or for more information, call 845-364-2520.

The Health Department's Flu Vaccine Clinics will be held on the following Fridays: September 11th, September 18th, and September 25th, from 1 pm to 4 pm, at the Rockland County Department of Health, Building D, 1st Floor, Nurses' Conference Room, Room 130, located at 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona. The flu vaccine is free of charge to adults 65 years and older (please bring identification with proof of age). Patients with Medicare and Medicaid must bring their cards. (There is a $30 fee for those 9 through 64 years old). Each patient must bring proof of Rockland County residency such as a driver's license or utility bill. No appointments are needed, but it is recommended that you register online before the clinic by visiting https://www.health.ny.gov/go2clinic.  The Health Department is giving the quadrivalent flu vaccine which does not contain the preservative thimerosal. The vaccine is called quadrivalent because it offers protection against four different flu viruses that research shows will be most common during the flu season: two influenza (flu) A viruses and two influenza B viruses. As the Health Department receives more shipments of the vaccine, additional flu vaccine clinics will be scheduled. For more information visit  http://www.rocklandgov.com/departments/health/programs-and-services/flu/ or call (845) 364–2520.

Visit www.rocklandgov.com/health and www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults to learn more about the vaccines you need to stay healthy.