Freeholder Linda Hughes announced on Sept. 22 that the Burlington County Health Department will host a series of clinics again this year to provide free flu vaccines to county residents.
The first clinic is scheduled on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Woodland Township Municipal Building located at 3rd and Main Street in Chatsworth. Clinics are scheduled through January and will be held at convenient locations all throughout the county.
To emphasize the importance of this program, the Burlington County Health Department will administer the first flu shot of the season to Freeholder Hughes during the Freeholder Board’s public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
“I am excited to kick off this year’s flu clinics next Wednesday evening. Getting an annual flu shot is one of the best ways you can stay healthy this flu season,” said Freeholder Hughes. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this great county service again this fall and winter.”
The Burlington County Health Department gave approximately 1,300 flu vaccinations last year to county residents.
In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January or February, but it can occur as early as October and as late as May. For the vaccine to provide full protection against the flu, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body. Getting vaccinated early in the fall helps to reduce the chances of residents getting sick before the vaccine is able to provide full protection.
Those 65 years and older, children under two, and those with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of experiencing complications from the flu. However, an annual flu shot is recommended for all residents aged six months and older by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a bad cold and the flu, your primary care provider may be able to test you within the first few days of symptoms in order to determine if you have the flu or not. Symptoms of the flu include: 100F or higher fever or feeling feverish, cough and/or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and/or body aches, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children).
The 2017 schedule is listed below. Please remember children can only be vaccinated at children’s clinics. Dates highlighted in blue are children clinics, and the date in yellow is a convenient drive-thru clinic.
