North Central Health District

Wilkinson County Health Department to Offer Vaccine Clinic in Allentown

Posted January 11, 2019 by Michael Hokanson

Wilkinson County Health Department will offer a vaccine clinic Wednesday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will be held at Allentown City Hall at 1475 Allen Ave. in Allentown. Health department staff will be providing vaccines to protect against flu, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap).

Immunization is the best way to protect yourself and others you care about from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. Vaccines not only help protect our families, but can also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

“Public health and the medical community has nearly eliminated certain diseases in the United States thanks to immunization,” said Juliette Williams, nurse manager for Wilkinson County Health Department. “Vaccines help protect your family, co-workers and anyone else you may have contact with in your community. Whatever other actions you take to reduce your risk of illness or disease, the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated.”

According to the CDC, the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. Scientists, doctors and health care professionals give vaccines to the public only after long and careful review. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for most people. They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and pneumococcal disease. Vaccinations also reduce absences both at work and at school and decrease the spread of illness in the home, workplace and community.

Most insurance plans will cover the cost of shots available at the vaccine clinic. Under- or uninsured visitors can receive regular flu shots for $25, high dose flu shots (recommended for those age 65 and older) for $55, pneumonia vaccines for $200 and Tdap shots for $60.

Wilkinson County Health Department and all county health departments in the 13-county North Central Health District provide a variety of immunizations that protect against shingles, hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus, childhood illnesses and more. For more information on health department services, call 478-946-2226 or visit NCHD52.org/Services.