County health officials schedule flu clinics in Clear Lake, Ventura schools

The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is offering school-based flu clinics again this fall at various school functions. Vaccine is available for all children, parents and school faculty.   

“It’s a convenient opportunity for the whole family to get vaccinated against the flu,” says Karen Crimmings, Disease Prevention and Investigation service manager, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “We plan to offer both the shot and mist flu vaccine at these clinics.”

  Most major health insurances are accepted. With insurance, no money is collected at the time of the vaccination; services are billed directly to insurance. Any remaining balance is billed to the client after insurance has paid for its portion of the service. The Health Department accepts the following insurances: Wellmark (Blue Cross, Blue Shield), Midland’s Choice, Hawk-i, Cigna, Aetna, First Administrators, North Iowa Community Health Care and Medicare Part B.

The Health Department also offers free vaccine through the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program for children through the age of 18 that meet any of the following criteria: Child has no health insurance coverage; Child is American Indian or Alaskan Native; Child is enrolled in Medicaid; Child is under-insured. This means the child’s health insurance does not cover the cost of immunizations.

A flu clinic will be held at Clear Creek Elementary School in Clear Lake Thursday, Oct. 3, from 5-7 p.m. as part of a Back to School event which starts at 6 p.m.  The clinic is also open to middle and high school students.

In Ventura, a flu clinic will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 9:30 a.m. at the junior high school, followed by a clinic at the elementary school.

For more information about school-based flu clinics or the flu shot/mist,  call 641-421-9321 or visit www.cghealth.com.