As fall starts, flu season will follow. Getting a flu shot early is always a good idea, since it takes about two weeks to build effective immunity against influenza. The Putnam County Department of Health has scheduled 18 school-based flu clinics, three public flu clinics and six other flu clinics for some of the most vulnerable populations with more limited access to care, including transportation and language barriers. 

In 37 days, from mid-September through the first full week of November, Putnam County’s public health nurses will be visiting every public school—in all six Putnam County school districts—to provide free flu shots to students and staff. By doing this, the health department is improving access to the flu vaccine, providing a convenient way for parents and caregivers to get their children vaccinated, and limiting the spread of the contagious flu virus. The strategy is simple: when one population is more fully protected, everyone has a lower risk of illness. 

Three public flu clinics for residents 18 years of age and older are scheduled: two drive-thru clinics at the health department’s main office, One Geneva Road in Brewster, on Thursday, Sept. 28 and Monday, Oct. 23. A third clinic, not a drive-thru, will take place at the Garrison Fire Department on Oct. 11. All start at 2 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m.; appointments and short sleeves are required. Register here: https://www.putnamcountyny.com/fluclinic. Consent forms are available here: https://www.putnamcountyny.com/fluclinic#docs and should be completed before the clinic. Forms will not be available at the drive-thru, where residents must remain in their vehicles. The cost is $30.00, or free for those 65 years and older, or with a Medicare card. The high-dose flu vaccine, shown more effective in seniors, is available for those 65 and older. The pneumonia vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine will not be available at clinics this year.  

In addition to these public sites and the schools, other clinics are held at the Putnam County Senior Centers and in the Village of Brewster. Bilingual staff are present at most clinics, including every clinic held in the Village of Brewster. For further questions about all PCDOH clinics, please call the immunization program at the PCDOH at 845- 808-1332.