More than a thousand senior citizens from across Camden County will attend the 21st annual Camden County Senior Health Fair on Sept. 30 at Cooper River Park to receive their flu shots. This is first of many clinics the Freeholder Board hosts to ensure the health and welfare of the community by providing free vaccines to residents.
“In order to keep your family healthy this flu season, we encourage you to take advantage of this beneficial service provided by the board,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department. “We are hosting immunization sites at convenient locations across Camden County, including the annual Senior Health Fair at Cooper River Park.”
In addition to seasonal flu shots, the Senior Health Fair will feature dozens of health information tables, games and prizes and lunch for all senior citizens who attend the event. Residents over 60 years of age should register to enjoy a complementary lunch at the fair by calling (856) 858–3220.
Freeholder Rodriguez explained that the launch of the flu shot program is traditionally coordinated with the senior health fair because men and women age 65 and older are among the “high priority” groups for annual shots. The flu shots are provided for no-out-of-pocket cost, but Rodriguez reminded seniors receiving Medicare to bring their Medicare ID cards with them.
Pregnant women and chronically ill people are other high priority groups. Flu shots are also recommended for people with weakened immune or cardiovascular systems, or with chronic metabolic diseases, renal dysfunction or blood disorders. Youngsters aged nine and older must be accompanied by an adult. Children under nine need two shots, a month apart, and should be seen by a pediatrician. For uninsured children, call CamCare at (856) 541–9811 or the Bellmawr Health Center at (856) 931–2700.
According to the CDC, flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May. People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins.
The Freeholder Board has scheduled 15 site locations for the 2015 Seasonal Influenza Immunization Program. Freeholder Rodriguez also reminded business owners it literally “pays” to make sure employees are vaccinated.
“The flu cannot only create challenges at home, but it can have a negative effect on the workplace crippling businesses and suffocating production,” Rodriguez said. “The flu can spread quickly through any office and infect several employees through the simple act of coughing.”
For more information, contact the county Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 999–9045, or log onto www.camdencounty.com.
