Clinics near Mullica Hill will be held as early as Oct. 11
The Gloucester County Department of Health is gearing up and preparing to provide no cost flu shots to county residents. Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger and Freeholder Jim Jefferson, liaison to the Department of Health said residents should check their mailboxes for the flu shot schedule of locations and times in the county’s newsletter.
“One of the easiest and best ways to stay flu free this year is to get your flu shot,” Damminger said. “It is not too early to start thinking about flu season and the Health Department has scheduled 33 flu shot clinics. We anticipate administering up to 15,000 immunizations this year. There is no cost for our residents and we make it so easy there is no excuse not to get immunized.”
Jefferson said that getting your no-cost flu shot is easy and convenient.
“The flu can be deadly to some people, especially the very young and elderly,” Jefferson said. “Every resident who gets immunized against the flu will ultimately cut down the strain on our hospital emergency rooms, employers, schools and other public health agencies during flu season.”
Clinics near Mullica Hill include:
- Wednesday, Oct. 11, 9 to 11 a.m. Incarnation Church, 240 Main St., Mantua.
- Saturday, Oct. 21, noon to 1:30 p.m. Gloucester County Library, 389 Wolfert Station Road, Mullica Hill.
- Wednesday, Oct. 25, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Pitman United Methodist Church, 758 N. Broadway, Pitman.
- Thursday, Nov. 2, 10 to 11 a.m. South Harrison Municipal Building, 664 Harrisonville Road, Harrisonville.
Vaccine viruses are chosen to maximize the likelihood that the influenza vaccine will protect against the viruses most likely to spread and cause illness among people during the upcoming flu season. This year’s program will be offering only quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine. This year’s quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine contains the following four viruses: A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)-pdm09-like virus; A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus; B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus; B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus. The program does not carry every type of flu vaccine formulations such as: nasal, intradermal and egg free. For more information about this year’s flu vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.
The following guidelines are followed for the Gloucester County Influenza Immunization Program:
- The Center for Disease Control recommends the flu vaccine for all persons aged 6 months and over.
- Available to county residents only. Proof of residency is required.
- Children ages 6 months-18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Children under the age of 9 years receiving flu immunization for the first time need two shots. The second shot should be given one month after the first shot.
- Preschool children attending a licensed day care facility must have received their flu immunization before Dec. 31, to be allowed to attend daycare in 2018. Special “Daycare/Preschool/Family” clinics have been included for this population.
- Some people should only receive their flu vaccine from their doctor, including: those who are allergic to eggs or any vaccine component; those who are on immunosuppressive therapy (cancer treatment or steroid therapy); those with multiple sclerosis, previous attacks of GBS, or other recurring or persistent neurological illness.
- Please have your ID (driver’s license) ready upon entering a clinic.
- Wear clothes that will permit you to easily expose your dominant (shot) arm.
- Keep your belongings with you at all times.
The Gloucester County Department of Health is located at 204 East Holly Ave. in Sewell. For a complete list of program locations and for more information, visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov or call (856) 218–4101.
