ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLINICS TO REOPEN AFTER A YEAR OF REDUCED SERVICES

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is announcing that Sexual Health Clinic and Family Planning Clinic services will resume this month.

These clinics reduced services and referred to other community clinics starting in March 2020, as clinic staff were reassigned to contact tracing and diagnostic testing clinics as part of Erie County COVID-19 response. Appointments are recommended, but walk-in visits are welcomed.

Sexual Health Clinic

The ECDOH Sexual Health Clinic will reopen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning March 16. This clinic offers walk-in hours from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Services include STI and HIV prevention, testing and treatment, educational materials, expedited partner therapy (EPT), and vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV. This clinic accepts patients ages 12 and older.

Cash, checks, credit card payments and most insurances are accepted. All testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is confidential; no one is denied testing or treatment based on their ability to pay.

“Nationwide and here in Erie County, we have seen an increase in sexually transmitted infections, specifically gonorrhea and chlamydia,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “Just as with any communicable disease, we identify new cases with testing, notify sexual partners of their risk through contact tracing, and treat to eliminate infection or reduce the chance of long-term health and fertility complications.” She continued, “Our clinics are here for those who need us.”

Family Planning Clinic

The ECDOH Family Planning Clinic will reopen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning March 22, with hours from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Services include: well-woman exams; sexual health education and counseling; comprehensive contraceptive options (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants and Depo); intrauterine devices (IUDs); emergency contraception (morning-after pill); pregnancy testing and options counseling; STI and HIV prevention, testing and treatment; cervical cancer screening; breast exams and mammogram referrals; referrals for prenatal care and infertility; HPV, hepatitis A/B and MMR vaccines; and blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screenings.

All insurances are accepted for payment, and all Erie County residents are seen and provided full services regardless of ability to pay. ECDOH staff will assist those who are uninsured in receiving low-cost or free family planning services and in applying for the New York State Family Planning Benefit Program.

PrEP Clinic

The ECDOH PrEP/PEP Clinic offers Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which is a daily pill that, when taken as directed, can greatly reduce the risk of getting HIV. This clinic also provides Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), a treatment that can be given within 72 hours of a potential exposure to HIV. Appointments for the ECDOH PrEP Clinic are strongly encouraged.  

Each clinic also provides free condoms, free Narcan, free syringes, and a medication/needle disposal kiosk – no questions asked. Call (716) 858-7687 to each any of our clinic offices for appointments or additional information.

# 

ECDOH Sexual Health Clinic: https://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=sexual-health-clinic

ECDOH Family Planning Clinic: https://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=erie-county-family-planning-center

ECDOH PrEP Clinic: https://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=prep-clinic