TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y.—The Tompkins County Health Department is reopening its Community Health Services (CHS) Immunizations Clinic, an on-site clinic for routine immunizations beginning July 8 at the office located at 55 Brown Road in Ithaca.
The CHS, which is funded through New York State and has been closed since March 2020, serves children and adults who are either uninsured or underinsured, and provides vaccines required for school enrollment as well as vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Information on required vaccines for the 2022–23 academic year can be found here.
Vaccines for Children (VFC) eligibility is available for children under 19 if they are enrolled in Medicaid, have Child Health Plus, are uninsured or underinsured or are Native American or Alaskan Native.
The Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program allows adults to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, diphtheria, tetanus and aceullular pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), Hepatitis A and B, influenza, Human Papillomavirus, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Meningococcal (MCV4), polio, Prevnar, tetanus and diphtheria (Td) and Varicella (chickenpox).
The clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on Fridays, and appointments are required. The office can be contacted at (607)274-6604 to schedule an appointment. Information regarding health insurance status will be collected, along with proof of income and a record of vaccines received.
Face masks are required in medical facilities, and will be provided as needed.
“Staying up to date on all vaccinations is key to reducing spread and severity of a variety of illnesses, including COVID-19,” said Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa. “It is recommended that children follow a vaccination schedule from birth to age 18 as outlined by the CDC. TCHD is pleased to be able to re-open our clinic space to provide this necessary service to our community. We hope to see you and your families soon.”