Flu Shot Clinics Set in Rockwell, Thornton, Plymouth, Mason City in October

MASON CITY, Iowa — CG Public Health will hold four walk-in flu vaccine clinics in Cerro Gordo County communities in October and add Saturday and evening hours at its Mason City clinic, according to a news release from the agency.

“Getting vaccinated early is the single most effective way to build immunity before respiratory season peaks,” said Karen Crimmings, disease prevention manager at CG Public Health. Crimmings said all three strains in this season’s vaccine were updated to match viruses now circulating, and that vaccination can reduce a potentially severe illness to mild symptoms while helping protect vulnerable family members.

No appointment is required at the outreach clinics, according to the release. The Rockwell clinic will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the Rockwell City Hall Community Center, 114 3rd St. N. The Thornton clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Thornton City Hall, 404 Main St.

The Plymouth clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Plymouth City Hall, 616 Broad St. The Mason City clinic will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Community Kitchen, 606 N. Monroe Ave.

At its clinic at 2570 4th St. SW, Suite 1, in Mason City, CG Public Health will accept walk-ins and scheduled appointments during extended hours, the release said. Those hours are 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 3; 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17; and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The clinics will offer standard flu vaccine for people 6 months and older for $44, high-dose flu vaccine recommended for adults 65 and older for $86, and COVID-19 vaccine for $125, according to CG Public Health.

The agency accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and asks people to bring their insurance cards, the release said. Free vaccines are available through the federal Vaccines for Children program and a state adult vaccine program for people who are uninsured, underinsured or whose plans do not cover preventive immunizations, according to the agency. The release said no resident will be turned away because of an inability to pay.

To schedule an appointment, call 641-421-9300 or visit cghealth.com/services/immunizations.