FLU VACCINE CLINIC COMES TO CEDAR KEY NEXT WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY

The adult flu vaccine clinic to be held October 12 and 13 in Cedar Key is part of a statewide effort to make the influenza vaccine available at modest cost to all Florida communities Cedar Key`s flu shot dates were announced by Commissioner Sue Colson at Tuesday night`s city meeting.

Flu vaccinations will be available to adults (18 years of age and over), upstairs at the Library between three and five p.m. Wednesday, October 12, and at the Methodist Church between three and four p.m, during food pantry hours, on Thursday, October 13. (The Library`s second floor is handicapped-accessible.)

Cedar Key`s adult flu vaccine clinic is a project of the Levy County Health Department. The health department charges individuals $20 for the flu shot and accepts coverage offered by certain health insurance plans (Medicare Part B and some Blue Cross/Blue Shield policies).

County health department administrator Barbara Locke explained that the county`s flu vaccine budget has been reduced in recent years, as more commercial pharmacies are providing the vaccine. Nonetheless, by keeping its administrative costs modest and purchasing the vaccine through a state-negotiated contract, the health department`s fee has remained competitive.

The Cedar Key News made a telephone check of Chiefland retailers. CVS charges $29.99 for the inoculation; Walgreen`s, $31.99; and Walmart, $27.00. All three accept Medicare Part B and some other insurance plans. Arizona-based Mollen Immunization Clinics, the company to which Walmart has outsourced its flu vaccine service nationally, aggressively accepts a number of insurance plans.

Also on Wednesday, October 12, but under the federal Vaccines for Children program, the county health department will administer FluMist to Cedar Key School pre-K through 5th grade students who have returned parental permission slips.