The 21st annual Camden County Senior Health Fair on Sept. 30 at Cooper River Park will be the first where resident can receive flu shots for the upcoming winter. 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.”
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.
The Freeholder Board has scheduled flu clinics at the Cherry Hill Township Municipal Building on Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. until noon and at the Katz JCC on Oct. 20 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
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 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.
