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The Walgreens at 159-34 Jamaica Ave. is an official City flu shot voucher location.
By Forum Staff
The City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Monday announced a collaboration with Walgreens to offer 1,000 vouchers for flu shots at 11 Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies located in areas with high rates of people without health insurance and low flu-vaccination rates.
According to the City, the vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and will allow uninsured and underinsured individuals to receive the flu vaccine at no cost. The vaccine is subject to availability, and age, state and health related restrictions may apply. The vouchers are available for New Yorkers 7 years of age and older who do not have health insurance.
In Queens, the Duane Reade at 136-02 Roosevelt Ave. in Flushing, and a Jamaica Walgreens at 159-34 Jamaica Ave. are official City flu shot voucher locations.
The Health Department implored all residents to get their annual flu shot so they are protected against the influenza virus and its severe symptoms and complications. A flu shot, administered even after influenza season has arrived, can still provide protection and mitigate the symptoms and complications should one contract the virus, according to Health officials. Preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the vaccine can prevent about 59 percent of influenza cases in young children (ages 6 months to 8 years), and overall, it can prevent about one-third of cases. Fatal influenza cases are more much more likely to occur among children who have not been vaccinated, the federal agency noted.
This flu season, the Health Department has confirmed four pediatric deaths in the city. Every year, DOHMH officials said, more New Yorkers die from influenza and pneumonia (a common complication of the flu) than from any other infection. In 2015, 2,094 residents of the five boroughs died from influenza and pneumonia. Approximately 90 percent of influenza-related deaths are among people aged 65 years and older.
The Health Department also issued these tips to help prevent the spread of influenza:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• If you or your child is sick with influenza, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them and seek care. There are antiviral drugs that a health care worker can prescribe that can treat influenza, reducing the time that you are ill and preventing some of the more serious complications of this infection.
• If your child is at high risk for influenza complications, you should speak to your medical provider about antiviral medication if they develop influenza-like symptoms.
• If a child has a condition like asthma, call a doctor if they show influenza-like symptoms.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
• Contact your doctor or seek medical care if you develop flu-like symptoms and are at risk of complications to determine if antiviral treatment is indicated. If you develop severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, obtain medical care right away.
Location information can be obtained by calling 311. New Yorkers can redeem the voucher by visiting any of the 11 locations.
