Get Healthy: Flu shots will be available in Carson schools soon

Carson City Health and Human Services works hard year-round to safeguard the health of our community, and flu season is no different. This year, the Health Department continues our partnerships with schools by offering flu vaccine to students, staffers and faculty members in Carson City and Douglas County schools. This program benefits students and parents by ensuring that parents do not need to take time off work to get their children vaccinated, and helps reduce the number of sick days in the schools.

The vaccine efforts have been taking place in Douglas County since Monday, with nurses and administrative staffers from Carson City Health and Human Services’ Preparedness Program visiting schools to offer the immunizations. On-side school vaccination clinics will begin in Carson City next week.

This year’s flu vaccine is slightly different than in previous years because it protects against four strains of flu instead of three. The vaccine will still be available as both a shot and in the nasal spray form.

While the vaccine has been offered for free in the past, this year there will be a payment system due to reduced funding to support the program.

Carson City Health and Human Services may bill your child’s health insurance company. CCHHS can bill the following insurance companies: Aetna, AmeriGroup, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, CIGNA, Government Employee Health Association (GEHA), Hometown Health, Humana, NV Preferred, St. Mary’s Health Plans and Universal Health Network. Please check with your insurance provider to find out whether vaccines are a covered benefit.

If your child qualifies for Vaccines for Children (VFC), there will be an administration fee of $15, or whatever you can afford to pay. To qualify for VFC, the child must be younger than 18 and meet one of the following criteria:

• Be uninsured or underinsured (child’s health insurance does not cover vaccines)

• Be an Alaska Native or American Indian

The CCHHS School Located Vaccine Program will offer a reduced fee for vaccinations. A receipt will be provided to submit for possible reimbursement from a private health insurance plan.

For those who are not students or employees of the Carson City or Douglas County school districts, flu vaccine is available now at both the CCHHS Long Street Clinic and Douglas Community Health in Gardnerville. Mark your calendars, our annual free Flu Vaccine Drive-Through event will take place at the Carson City Corporate Yard on Butti Way in Carson City on Saturday, Oct. 5. We hope to see you there!

For more information about other Health Department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us at www.facebook.com/cchhs.