Longmeadow to host pneumonia clinics

Date: 3/20/2013

LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow Board of Health is taking reservations for Pneumonia Shot Clinics on April 11 from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Health Room, Greenwood Center (Adult Center Wing).

Pneumonia infection can develop in individuals who get the flu. Pneumonia infections secondary to flu infections can lead to serious and even life-threatening illness. The Pneumonia vaccine protects against the most common bacteria that cause pneumonia.

Unlike flu vaccinations, vaccination for pneumonia is administered only one of two times during a person's lifetime.

The following target groups of Longmeadow residents are eligible to receive pneumonia shots from the Longmeadow Board of Health:

• Individuals age 65 years or older who have never received a pneumonia shot

• Individuals age 65 years or older who received a pneumonia shot before turning age 65 and five years have elapsed since that previous pneumonia vaccination

• Individuals under age 65 who have a chronic illness, are immune-suppressed, have asthma, are smokers, or are obese

Individuals for whom health care providers have recommended pneumonia immunization or reimmunization and who do not fall within these guidelines will be vaccinated if written orders from the individual's physician are submitted to the Board of Health.

There are no out-of-pocket charges for individuals who have Medicare Part B insurance and for most individuals under age 65 for whom pneumonia vaccination is medically recommended and are subscribers of Massachusetts private or public insurance plans. Kindly bring all insurance cards to the clinic when it is scheduled for verification. The charge for individuals who do not have insurance coverage is $6.

Call Carol Steiner, R.N., Community Health Nurse, Longmeadow Board of Health, to make a clinic reservation (565-4154); if she is not available, kindly leave a message with your name, telephone number, and clinic that you want to attend.