Fort Greene Health Center

After putting off HIV testing for far too long, I finally received a battery of STI tests here. For affordable-​to-​free care from trained experts, I thought this place was very well run. Everyone was friendly. It was quite busy, but I found it still to be efficient. I was seen first within 10 minutes, done with all of my tests within an hour, and out within two hours of my arrival. I expect I’ll be back, and can highly recommend this clinic.

They will not pick up their phone. Period. I called 6 times yesterday throughout the day, and 5 times today with no answer so I showed up to their office to ask my question. In case you have the same question as I did, this is the answer:
If you need to get your varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and you’re over age 18, you have to go to Mobile Health Medical Services (
), which has locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, etc. Their phone number is 212−695−5122. You have to call to make an appointment, but you have to wait, DMV-​style, anyway. The chicken pox vaccine is $ 139 out of pocket.

This is the best place I have ever been to to get vaccines. I didn’t wait long at all. I went in almost immediately in fact. I had a lovely Ukranian young lady– she was the best! Very good with needles and for me who is not so good at dealing with it. I almost felt nothing. The prices are great and because I don’t make much I won’t have to pay for those vaccines. I would definitely go back if I need more boosters.

Good people doing important work. I went there for an STD screening after having a questionable night out with somebody. It’s first come, first served. Got there around 9:00am and was out by 11:00, I was patient number 10, they did a blood test and the unpleasant but necessary swab inside the urethra. They tell you in half an hour if you are HIV positive and you have to wait 10 days to find out about all of the other wonderful diseases you’re being tested for. If you are uninsured you pay on a sliding scale depending on how much money you make, the average is around $ 20. Everyone was very pleasant and professional, the place is not fancy but it’s clean and efficient, and it’s practically free. Thank you!

They are CLOSED ON SATURDAY. Waisted all day tomorrow day trying to get there to find out they were closed. Also they are open ONLY UNTILL 2pm!!! Monday’s to Friday’s!

Got a TDaP shot before visiting my newborn nephew but was unsuccessful in getting a Hep A :(
Pros:
* The only place in NY you can get shots (with some restrictions) gratis!
* Clean facilities with knowledgeable staff. The front desk faculty can be curt and direct and forgo pleasantries especially when there are a lot of people in line, but they aren’t mean.
Cons:
* Wait times are hit or miss– either 20 min to 1.5 hr!
* They don’t allow cell phones, so bring magazines or e-​books.
* They are very strict on being a clinic that does NOT administer travel vaccines. So don’t mention the word «travel» in the staff’s presence or they will correct you immediately. I came back again to try and get a Hepatitis A vaccine shot for an upcoming trip to India, but got turned away because it was only for «high risk adults through age 59.» Doesn’t going to India make me high risk? I didn’t know whether it was worth the effort to argue with the front lady on what is considered «high risk.» Left disappointed.
Tips:
* Make sure to read everything, I mean everything on,
. They have health/​age restrictions for some shots.
* Google Map «Fort Greene Health Center,» NEVER their address, 295 Flatbush Ave., as it will direct you a residential apartment 30 min walk away. I learned this the hard way!
* Closest way to get there is the Q, & B to DeKalb Ave and get out at the North side Willoughby St. entrance
* Remember to bring your vaccination record, insurance card, and any other evidence for securing a vaccine.

The staff there are great! I was there for some birth controls. Even if you don’t have insurance, they would try everything just so you can receive their services for free.
The waiting time is usually short, but I had times where I waited 5 hours and the places wasn’t even packed.
They accept walk-​ins and is on the same block of the Q, B, R train

Great experience. Efficient, professional and free (for students)!
I needed an MMR shot for grad school and did not have health insurance because the NYS Health Exchange screwed up my account and erroneously dropped my from the policy. Was quite frustrated with bureaucratic, government-​run health establishments until I came to this clinic. I was able to get a free shot here without an appointment. I just showed up around 1pm.
When I arrived, one of the staff members took me to her office right away to enter my medical info in the computer which took about 5 minutes. She was friendly and professional. After that, I waited about 1 minute in the waiting area before seeing the nurse who gave me my shot and 2 copies of the paperwork I needed verifying that I had the shots done. She asked me to stay in the waiting room for 10 minutes in case of any reactions to the shots.
There were about a dozen or so people coming and going through the waiting room when I was there. So it was active, but not crowded. After my 10 min were up, I went home! I never thought I’d have such good things to say about a state run clinic!

She turned me away and said I needed to pay for a Travel Clinic to get Tetanus, HepA and Typhoid. Perhaps the rules have changed or there’s some secret way to approach the people to get your free shots.

Needed a TDaP shot for nursing school, and my primary care doctor recommended that I just go to one of the Dept of Health clinics since they would give me the shot for free. This was the closest to home, so I went in around 10:30 am on a Thursday, half-​expecting there to be a queue around the block.
Nope, just five or so people ahead of me. I got a number, some information about the vaccine I’m supposed to be getting, and waited about 15 – 20 minutes before I got called. I had a short interview about my medical history, prior vaccinations, etc. The admin and medical staff were extremely helpful and friendly and professional. They also suggested that I get a flu shot since I’m going to have to get it anyway for nursing school, so why not.
If you don’t have insurance, the vaccinations are free but you’ll have to pay an administration fee based on your income (it won’t go over $ 20).
I’m sure I half-​lucked out because there were no lines since it’s not the start of flu season or school, but I don’t think there’s a need to camp out there at 8 am. Just show up a few hours before they close at 2:30p and you should be okay.

Went here today to get Tdap and Hep B. Got there a little before 12:30, was seen within five minutes. Totally free, everything was explained quickly and fully, very pleasant experience overall. No hassles, which I wasn’t expecting from a free city service. In response to another review about a refusal to sign forms – while I didn’t bring in my own form, they provided me with a signed form that I could send to my school. Will definitely head back here if I need any other immunizations.

I went today to get a hep-​a shot. I was skeptical about the «free» aspect, but it turned out all right. I came at 1:30 pm, went to the fifth floor, and got in after 5 minutes. They clain today was really empty, some other days it might be packed. The staff is very nice, and they also offered me a Tetanus shot (which I took). All and all — free, friendly (and this time it was emtpy)

The last time I got TDaP and MMR shots was twenty years ago, and I just learned that you are supposed to get Booster Shots every ten years. I have no clue when it comes to vaccination. So, I guess, I’m due for this. Trying to save some money, I looked up online and found this NYC Health Center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. I kinda wondered if they would have attitudes like DMV or USPS. Well, let’s see.
Leaving Astoria at 730am and got there at 815am. There was a line forming in front of the building already. Gosh, I thought I would be the first! (Never anyway) Turned out there are five floors in this building, and they provide different services on each floor. Mine was for immunization, so I ran up the stairs straight to the fifth floor. Good exercise for the morning. Voila, I was the first in line!
I told the clerk that I need Booster Shots for TDaP and MMR. She gave me the number (Number 1!) and told me to wait in the waiting area. Within 5 minutes, another employee called me in for gathering personal info. She asked me if I need Hep B and Flu Shot as well. I responded, how much do they cost? She replied, they are all free. I was like yeah, puncture me anywhere you want! Free service from New York City? It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?
After I was done with her, she told me to go straight to the waiting room. Within a few minutes, my name got called. I got two shots on my left forearm and other two on the right. The doctor told me go sit down in the waiting room for another 10 minutes just in case I don’t feel alright. I told Siri to set timer for 10 minutes. Tick Tock, Tick Tock, I felt just fine, so I left the building and walked straight to the subway steps away from the building. Got back to Astoria by 10am!
The whole trip took me a total of merely 2 hours from Astoria to Fort Greene by Q train and back. Taking subway to BK was even longer than this whole process.
I was happy with the service. The employees were nice and helpful, and I just saved almost $ 300 if I go a regular clinic. I feel great to accomplish one thing today. Thank you NYC!
P. S. You can get flu shot from the city for free with/​without the insurance. Take advantage of this!

So I went to this place yesterday for a Hep A shot because I found out it’s free here and I’m going to China soon. I was a little skeptical of going here for two reasons: the word «clinic» and the words «new york city». I tend to associate these words with dirty and run down with drug-​fiends and people on the verge of death hacking up a lung lying all around. However, when I went there it was clean, practically empty and the people were pretty friendly! There was literally one other guy in the spacious waiting room. I was in and out in 20 minutes, maybe less. The staff were friendly and helpful. There’s even a box of NYC condoms on every counter for those of you out there who need ‘em. Not a bad experience at all, and most basic vaccinations completely FREE, with or without insurance you get served.

Before my trip to Uganda last year I went in for travel immunizations. I went on my lunch break at work and was in and out without any problem. This place is clean, orderly, efficient, and quick. Also FREE. I went back a couple of days ago for the Part 2 Immunizations (didn’t get around to it after my trip) and found the same excellent atmosphere, service, and cost (none). Both times my visit took approximately 20 minutes, including the time spent sitting after my shot just to make sure there were no adverse reactions. I went there at around 12.30pm last year, and around 11.30am this time. There were 1 – 2 people ahead of me, both times. The waiting area was large, clean, and full of empty seats. This place was great.
You check in at reception, and the receptionist gives you a number and information forms about the immunizations you will receive. You sit down to wait. When your number is called you are taken to an intake room and give identity and medical history information which is entered into their computer system by a staff person there. You then wait in a hallway chair until the nurse comes for you. The nurse looks like a doctor but is not a doctor. The nurse will take you to a private room, review your medical history with you, and then administer the shots. She will then make notations on the Lifetime Immunization Record showing which immunizations were administered. You are to keep your Lifetime Immunization Record for your records. After being injected, you will be advised by the nurse to go back into the waiting area, and to sit and wait for five minutes to make sure that there are no adverse effects. Everyone is pleasant.
I have mixed feelings about posting this. I feel I must comment because the experience was so far and away better than most doctor visits anywhere and this place deserves the recognition. However, I really do not look forward to you guys heading over there in droves and ruining the excellent vibe. :-)
One other thing I must mention, which caused me to knock a star off my review. I needed to get them to sign my immunization form for grad school and they wouldn’t. The receptionist and the nurse both told me that they do not sign any forms. The nurse added that there is no doctor there to sign anything, and that they cannot do it. Also, I note that between my first round of immunizations and my second round of immunizations, I was diagnosed with an allergy to yeast. Because of this allergy they would not administer the Second round of the Hepatitis B immunization. They won’t do Hep B on people with yeast allergies without written doctor authorization. No big deal as Hep B is not required for my school, but FYI.

So I got myself in this sticky situation once where I needed to have a tetanus booster as soon as possible. (Haven’t we all?)
Anyway, I kept looking at the internet listing for this place on the city website and thinking, «Really? For free? For real??»
Then I came to Unilocal and saw the bad reviews and tried to contact the guy who said he got there at 8:30 AM and had to wait for six hours to ask him for tips. Never heard back… s’cool, s’cool.
Basically, all signs pointed to catastrophe at the Health Center when I emerged from the Flatbush subway station with sleep in my eyes on a sunny Friday morning at 9:00 AM. I expected there to be a huge crowd of wheezing, sickly people in the waiting area and angry, overwhelmed staff, and spontaneous fist-​fights breaking out all over the place. The sound of shattered glass and women wailing at regular intervals.
So imagine my absolute delight when I walked in and there was only ONE other person in the waiting room and the receptionists and nurses and staff there were so incredibly on the ball and expedient!
After I got my shot, I was asked to sit in the waiting area for five minutes to make sure I was okay to leave. It was still empty at that point and I sat there happy as a pig in mud and gurgled with delight at a mission easily accomplished.
The whole thing took 20 minutes and it was all free. And now I am tetanus-​free.
What more can a girl ask for?

If you are an investigative journalist, go to this site to write an award-​winning piece that covers corruption that the nation’s bankrupt health care system causes and how they are nothing about science but epitomizes the urban poverty, the broke and the deserted. Before I got very interested in the subject matter and located these social services to gather data of it, I found myself here half by my gut instinct and half for my own needs to have an annual check up for years on end when I did not have any health insurance plan. The very message they are sending is that they want you to die if you are categorized to be the population who would end up here.
The valuable date that I have gathered were as below;
–one of my test results – a pap smear – was missing (!) for two months. I had to go back to the site – basically they have no phone number you can speak to anybody through– to get them collect it. The manager person did not apologize in the end. Instead, she kept mentioning my ethnicity.
–my test results were lost for more than a couple of times.
–the internet account for the test results they delivered turned out to be defect and void but they refused to admit it, let alone never assisting testees to fix the defects .
–some doctors were bizarre and creepy. One that I saw (a Russian male) was apparently wrong. He kept coming in when I was still in the process of dressing/​undressing and acting in an inappropriate manner. I really had to question if he was OK to be there. He seemed to be deranged and borderline psychotic himself. Another doctor, who is still there, was clueless after a long time of working. The only thing he says is «I am from Europe» E V E R Y TIME as if that compensates his incompetence. To top it all off, he never let out where in Europe he was from.
–the office used to provide the cancer prevention screening for women (a.k.a pap smear) without any restriction. At some point, however, they began limiting the service. Now due to the bureaucracy solidly based on the nation’s desperate attempts to tighten the budget (to help the low income people perversely), the doctors and staff would do and say literally ANYTHING to discourage and ultimately dissuade their clients from asking for the service. It becomes ethically and scientifically questionable when their rhetoric compromises and deteriorates into something as magical thinking. The doctor who used to say women should get a pap smear no less than than once a year now says the screening can’t show an accurate result when you take it more than once in two years. They think whoever ends up here is dumb and helpless and should be dumbed down more so that they would not cost them too much.
–since they missed the records, they could not remember how many hepatitis vaccines that I had when the series was half way through: the answer was I had two shots and one more to go. I know that I would not die for these shots for the prevention purpose. Yet their chaotic system horrified me. Aren’t you a health care provider who deal with people’s records and public health?
My understanding is that most of the people who come here are those who have no access to other facilities and health care whatsover. Their refusal to offer/​limit services they have simply means those who come here should die, and as fast as possible. Their not only neglect but also misguidance just because they don’t want to offer anything further than the very basic such as rapid HIV test – and they even mismanage those results – is just ethically unsound.
Just coming to this place makes a hot journalist out of you so go give it a shot. If you can go through some pretense to be a hapless, low income and grateful minority imbecile and stand the swooningly long waiting hours, and have passion for justice, indignation to expose their lowest morale/​moral, you are bound for the Pulitzer. But you definitely have to go to another clinic to get more reliable services for your own health’s sake.
I believe this sort of very low service has been maintained without any improvement because they hardly meet repercussions or proper reactions. Imagine how vulnerable and voiceless ‘the population who would end up here’ always are. Since they had no other place to go, they know they have to play the hand they are dealt.
The last time when I stepped in here, I noticed that the register form is now called ‘triage card.’ I do wish they ever learn where the word was coming from, which became my holiday wish this year.

Can’t give it a 5-​star despite the fact that they provide free services — for those annoying little things that your health insurance may not cover — since the wait-​time can be utterly unbelievable.
I arrived at 8:30 am (opening time for the clinic) and it took nearly six hours (five standing outside in the cold) for my number to be called.
The clinic workers are decently friendly and helpful.
The moral of the story is that nothing is for free. Be sure to arrive as early as possible and expect a long wait. Do not forget to fully charge your iPhone.*
* My iPhone died after the first hour of waiting. I have already completely erased my memory of the entire experience of waiting in line for six hours. Except to write this review. Re-​deleting NOW!