Oklahoma health departments to start offering flu vaccine Oct. 3

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The flu vaccine will be available at Oklahoma county health departments starting Oct. 3, the state announced Wednesday.

“We are learning more and more about the benefits of influenza vaccination every year,” said OSDH Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline in a news release. “One example is the benefit for pregnant women and newborn babies. Flu vaccination not only protects pregnant women, but also protects their babies for up to 6 months. Since influenza is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women and newborns this protection is important. Flu vaccination is safe during pregnancy, after delivery, and for breastfeeding women.”

The State Department of Health also offered the following information:

County health departments will accept SoonerCare, Medicare, all private health insurance, cash, checks, or credit cards as payment for flu vaccine. The following fee schedule will apply:

No charge for families whose income is less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level. However, those who have health insurance should bring their insurance card. The insurance company will be billed for the vaccine and an administration fee.

No charge for adults 65 years of age and older. Adults 65 and older should bring their Medicare Card or other health insurance card.

No charge for children 18 years of age and younger who have no health insurance, whose health insurance does not cover flu vaccine, who are eligible for SoonerCare, or who are Native American or Alaskan natives.

All others will be charged a fee of $25 to cover the cost of the flu vaccine and the cost of administering the vaccine.

County health departments will not be offering the flu mist as it is no longer recommended by the CDC.

Find more information and locations of health departments on the state's website.