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“The new schedule is an example of how Westchester County government is being more responsive to the needs of residents,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. As always, no one will be turned away from any Health Department clinics for inability to pay. New in 2015, uninsured residents who need a TB skin test to start a new job or enter college or graduate school can schedule an appointment at the health department clinics in White Plains or Yonkers. “We often receive calls from residents who need the test to begin a new career or a course of study, so we are adding this service for residents,” said Dr. Sherlita Amler, commissioner of health. “By doing so, we hope to reduce barriers to higher education and identify residents who could benefit from preventive treatment.”
Residents can walk in with no appointment needed for sexually transmitted disease and HIV testing in Yonkers on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and in White Plains on Wednesdays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Starting in December, the clinics began offering rapid Hepatitis C testing to residents born between 1945 and 1965, because more than 75 percent of infected adults are baby boomers, as well as to those with other risk factors. People who test positive receive follow up confirmatory testing and are connected to medical providers for treatment. The clinics also offer rapid HIV tests and tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and trichimoniasis.
Also starting in January, the Health Department will extend the hours of its by-appointment immunization clinics, At these clinics, children up to age 19 who are uninsured or who lack a primary care provider routinely receive vaccines and through the health department’s Navigators, are linked to health insurance and are referred to primary care providers. Immunization clinics also offer some immunizations for adults and college students. By-appointment tuberculosis clinics also have new hours, based on clinic usage. In White Plains, testing and treatment will be available monthly on the first Thursday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on the second, third and fourth Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Yonkers, the same services will be available Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more health information, visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/wchealthdept, follow on Twitter @wchealthdept or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.
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