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Immunizations
Immunization Program
Purpose: To reduce the likelihood of vaccine-preventable diseases by helping assure children, older adults, and everyone in between receives the vaccines they need.
Get Involved
Community Immunization Ambassadors
Our Immunization Ambassador Program empowers community members to be engaged in activities that will increase immunization rates in Cortland County. If you are interested in volunteering please email: Margaret Broderick at mbroderick@cortland-co.org
Ambassadors are community member volunteers who are trained to help spread accurate vaccine information in the community, provide input on educational resources, and attend immunization coalition meetings to ensure community member perspective is represented. Ambassadors are trusted members of the community who are understanding of community member questions and concerns related to vaccines.
Immunization Coalition of Cortland County
The Immunization Coalition of Cortland County involves organizations and community members working together to improve immunization rates in the county. The coalition fosters information sharing and collaboration on activities that research has shown work to increase immunizations. The current focus of the coalition, in alignment with the Community Health Improvement Plan, is COVID-19 and Flu community education through marketing, normalization of vaccines, and the ambassador volunteer program.
If you would like to join the coalition email Suzanne Osterhoudt at sosterhoudt@cortland-co.org All are welcome!
Immunization Clinics
Public Immunization Clinics are offered to Cortland County residents ages 2 months and older that are uninsured, underinsured, or who have Medicaid and do not have a primary care provider.
Residents that have insurance are referred to their primary care provider for immunizations.
Clinics are offered twice a month at the Nursing Clinic at the County Office Building.
How do you make an appointment?
Visits are by appointment only. To make an appointment please call 607-753-5203.
What to bring?
- Insurance card
- A copy of your immunization record (tips for accessing your record can be found here)
- Children under 18 must be with a parent or guardian
School Entrance Requirements
Our immunization program works with schools districts to ensure they are aware of the NYS Public Health Law immunization requirements for daycare and pre-K through 12th graders in the county.
New York State requires that children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade receive all required doses of vaccines on the recommended schedule in order to remain in school unless they have a valid medical exemption to immunization. This requirement includes all public, private, and religious schools.
Within 14 days of the first day of school/daycare, in order for a child to remain in school, parents must:
- Show proof of their child's up to date vaccinations OR
- Provide a valid medical exemption from vaccination
Other Program Activities
New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)
Our program woks to support the accuracy and timeliness of immunization records reported in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). The goal of NYSIIS is to establish a real-time, complete immunization record for all NYS residents. This promotes public health by helping to ensure all individuals are fully immunized. State law requires immunizations to be entered for residents under age 19. Adults should inquire about NYSIIS reporting and request that their provider or pharmacy that the immunizations they receive be entered into NYSIIS. More information can be found here.
Immunization Quality Improvement Provider Visits
The immunization program provides healthcare provider based immunizations assessments to measure immunization coverage and provide helpful feedback. This approach provides educational opportunities for providers, strengthens partnerships between the health department and providers, and increases awareness among immunizations providers. A written report is prepared by department staff and shared with the office that outlines coverage levels and suggested interventions. Many offices have participated in these assessments. If your office would like to schedule a visit please call 607-753-5028.
Program Goals
The Immunization Program of Cortland County goals align with the New York State Department of Health's 2019-2024 Prevention Agenda goals related to vaccine preventable diseases. By 2024 the state hope to: increase immunization rates for recommended vaccines among 24-35 month old's to 70.5%, increase HPV immunization rates among 13 year old's to 37.4%, among other objectives. In 2021, Cortland County met both the childhood and HPV immunization objectives.
Some goals of the Immunization Program are tracked through the Community Health Improvement Plan. COVID-19 and Flu vaccination were selected as a health priority for the county from 2022-2024. Part of this priority is to reduce vaccine coverage disparities in the more rural areas of the county and among young adults. View the Community Health Improvement Plan to view measurable goals, what the community is doing to increase vaccination and the progress that has been made since 2022.
Community Health Improvement COVID & Flu Activities
Immunization Information
Recommended Immunizations
Immunizations in your child's early years protect them from many serious diseases including; whooping cough, measles, and chickenpox.
From 7-18 years old staying up to date on COVID/Flu shots protects your child from these serious respiratory diseases. The HPV vaccine protects against many types of cancer.
Immunizations for adults depend on age, health conditions, job, and other factors. Take the quiz above to find out what vaccines you need.
A pregnant person should be vaccinated against whooping cough and flu each pregnancy and stay up to date on the COVID-19 vaccine to protect mom and baby.
Vaccines for travel depend on your destination and should be discussed with your provider. A travel clinic is located at Family Practice Associates of Dryden (607-844-8201).
If you work directly with patients or handle material that could spread infection, it is important that you get the recommended vaccines to reduce the chance you will spread diseases.
Other Resources