Flu shots offered at worksite vaccination clinics

Worksite vaccination clinics are making it convenient for employees to get a flu shot. The Health Department scheduled a series of clinics that began Sept. 6 and run through Oct. 17. No reservations are required; all clinics are first-come, first-served.

The clinics, which are offered through Medica and the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency, are open to all employees. There is no charge to employees who have coverage under the City’s health insurance plan. Medica covers the full cost of the flu shot or Flu Mist without deductibles or co-pays.

In addition to the flu vaccine, the Tdap (tetanus, pertussis & whooping cough) vaccine will be available to people age 19 and older who have not already received their one-time pertussis booster shot.

Remaining Vaccination Clinics

Community Planning & Economic Development – 105 5^th Ave. (suite 200)
Thursday, Sept. 19 from 8 – 10 a.m.

Public Works/ Solid Waste & Recycling – 2710 Pacific St.
Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 6 – 8 a.m.

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority - 1001 Washington Ave. N. (board room)
Thursday, Sept. 26 from 12:30 – 4 p.m.

City Hall - 350 S. 5^th St. (room 132)
Friday, Sept. 27 from 6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Convention Center - 1301 Second Ave. S. (Room 102 D)
Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 7 – 9 a.m.

U-Care Skyway Senior Center – 950 Nicollet Mall (Suite 290 – LaSalle side)
Thursday, Oct. 3 from 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Police Special Operations Center - 4119 Dupont Ave. N.
Thursday, Oct. 3 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Public Works/ Water East Yard - 935 Fifth Ave. S.E. (conference room)
Friday, Oct. 4 from 7 – 8 a.m.

Minneapolis Parks & Recreation - 2117 West River Road N. (2nd floor board room)
Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. – noon

Public Works/Traffic Shop - 300 Border Ave. N. (lunchroom)
Thursday, Oct. 10 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Public Works/Hiawatha Facility - 1901 E. 26^th St. (Harriet Room)
Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 7 – 9:30 a.m.

Fire Station 6 - 121 East 15^th Street)
Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Why get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid the flu’s fever, aches and fatigue as well as the dangerous complications that can cause pneumonia or land you in the hospital. Flu viruses are always changing. Each year’s flu vaccine is made to provide protection from viruses that are most likely to cause disease that year.

The Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or 12. People who did not get Tdap at that age should get it as soon as possible.

What to bring to the vaccination clinic

1. Proof of insurance (your Medica insurance card, a photocopy of the front of your Medica card OR proof of coverage under another insurance plan accepted by Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency).

2. A photo ID (driver’s license or employee ID badge).

What to wear to the vaccination clinic

· Wear clothing that allows access to your upper arm.

No cost to most employees

· There is no cost to City employees who are covered by Medica. Medica covers the full cost of the flu shot or Flu Mist as well as the Tdap vaccine without deductibles or co-pays. All clinics listed are open to any employee with coverage under the City’s health insurance plan, group numbers 48391, 48394, 48399, 48402, 48417, 48423, 69373, 69374, 69375, 69382, 69384 and 69385. The Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency also accepts other medical insurance. If you are covered by another insurance program, bring your insurance card.

· Without insurance, the fee is $29 for the flu shot or $35 for the Flu Mist. (Make checks payable to the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency.) Without insurance, the cost of the Tdap vaccine is $60.

Additional information about the vaccine clinics

The Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency will bill an individual for any denied insurance claims, or deductibles and co-pays for non-City plans, up to the full price of the vaccination ($29 for the shot or $35 for Flu Mist).

Each employee will need to sign a consent form before receiving the vaccination. Forms will be available at each vaccination clinic.

Family members may receive flu shots if they are covered under the employee’s City health insurance or other accepted insurance, and they are at least three years old. Children between six months and two years must be seen by their primary provider, or may be scheduled at the MVNA office (www.mvna.org).

The Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency will not give seasonal flu shots to people who have:

A severe allergy to eggs or other vaccine components.
Had a serious allergic reaction or other problem after getting an influenza vaccination.
A fever or active infection at the time of the vaccination.
A history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

For more information

For more information, you can check the Health Department website at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health, call the Health Department at 612-673-2301 or read these documents:

Published Sep. 18, 2013