Office for the Aging to Host Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic

Office for the Aging to Host Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic

Thursday, Nov. 12th at former Arthur S. May school site in Poughkeepsie

Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today announced the County’s Office for the Aging (OFA) is partnering with MVP Health Care to host a free, drive-through influenza vaccination clinic for residents 60 and older at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12th on the site of the former Arthur S. May Elementary School, located at 25 Raymond Avenue in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Space is limited for this free event, and seniors must call (845) 486-2555 to register.

County Executive Molinaro said, “As we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to offer this free flu vaccinations for residents in a safe manner that will also allow important brief but important socialization at a distance. This is another way our Office for the Aging continues to adapt its programs and services to meet its critical mission of enhancing the lives of our seniors, despite the challenges of the current pandemic. We thank MVP Health Care for collaborating with our Office for the Aging to offer these vaccinations at no charge to seniors, and I urge residents to take advantage of this opportunity.”

This free event is open to all Dutchess County seniors, regardless of health insurance status. Seniors who have health insurance are asked to bring their insurance card with them to the event; MVP Health Care will pay the out-of-pocket fee for seniors without insurance.

When seniors call the OFA at (845) 486-2555 to register, they’ll receive a specific timeslot between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to arrive and receive their flu shot.

Residents who attend the Nov. 12th event will receive the standard flu shot; the high-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccinations, typically referred to as the “senior flu shot,” are in low supply nationwide, but health experts advise receiving the standard vaccination, if available, rather than not getting vaccinated.

The OFA partnered with New York State Senator Sue Serino to offer a similar drive-through flu shot clinic as part of the annual Golden Gathering at Arlington High School in October. Demand for the vaccinations quickly met the supply, hence interested seniors are advised to promptly register for the OFA’s Nov. 12th event.

OFA Director Todd Tancredi said, “We know the importance seniors rightly put on their health, and the Office for the Aging is honored to help them achieve their goals of living independently and safely. Providing free flu vaccinations in a convenient and safe environment is just the latest way our office has transformed traditional, in-person events to still assist the seniors we serve.”

With physical distancing guidelines and the prohibition of large gatherings in place to protect residents health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, OFA has provided alternative programming for seniors including drive-through summer picnics, enjoyed by more than 4,000 seniors in lieu of its traditional, sit-down picnics and new online resources, including Tai Chai instruction. The popular and informative “Medicare 101” classes have been held online, in addition to small, socially distanced in-person classes, and other exercise programs will also be added to a virtual platform.

County Executive Molinaro’s 2021 Executive Budget contains funding for OFA to continue to reimagine events and activities for seniors to ensure opportunities for socialization and engagement that is critical to mental well-being. As older adults are increasingly using technology to connect to news and information, health and wellness resources and social supports, OFA will provide information regarding programs and services remotely through technology.

Last year, OFA staff served over 13,000 individual seniors, non-seniors in need of long-term care, caregivers, and family members with a wide variety of community-based services, including case management, case assistance, home care, senior centers and home-delivered meals. More information about the OFA’s various offerings is available on the OFA webpage.