CentraState Offers Vaccinations to the Community

CentraState Medical Center is keeping residents healthy this winter by providing the seasonal flu, Tdap and pneumococcal vaccinations to the public at CentraState’s Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center.

The seasonal flu vaccine costs $20 and will only be administered to people 4-years-old or older.

The Tdap vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. All are serious, potentially deadly illnesses caused by bacteria. Highly contagious infections in newborns, such as Pertussis or whooping cough, are particularly severe and can be fatal to infants under 12 months. The Tdap vaccine costs $50 and is recommended for children 11 years of age and older and adults who will have direct contact with an infant less than 12 months of age.

CentraState is also offering the pneumococcal vaccine to the public for $60. According to the Centers for Disease Control, pneumococcal pneumonia kills about one out of 20 people who get it. The risk of pneumococcal infection is dramatically increased in people aged 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems and long-term health problems, including diabetes, heart, and lung diseases.

The vaccinations will be administered by registered nurses at CentraState’s Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center. For more information about the seasonal flu, Tdap and pneumococcal vaccinations, their costs, or to make an appointment, call The Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center at 732- 308-0570.