Residents arrived at the Elk Township municipal building on Nov. 15 to get a free flu shot from staff of the Gloucester County Department of Health.
‘We are having clinics in every municipality in the county,” said registered nurse and flu clinic director Elizabeth Grant, adding that it is the first time in three years the health department has fully mobilized the program.
Concerns about COVID in 2020 forced the county to hold drive-thru flu shot clinics in Clayton, Swedesboro and Mantua.
“The people really liked that and we are still using them,” said Grant, who has been clinic director for 15 years. She attributed the success of the flu shots to the efforts of the health department, including registered nurse Denise Dawson; who administered the vaccinations at the Elk Township location; and clerk Christine Yenner, who helped people with the new electronic registration.
The Elk vaccinations were part of a county program that began in October and has 10 more clinics scheduled through Dec. 28.
“Getting a flu shot is a vital step that residents can take to safeguard their own health and that of their families,” said Commissioner Jim Jefferson, liaison to the health department. “It’s a safe, easy way to reduce the risk of illness and minimize potential disruption to their daily lives during flu season.”
The county has introduced a new electronic registration for the clinics that eliminates the use of paper forms.
For information regarding the clinics and access to the electronic registration process, visit https://gloucestercountynj.gov/334/Influenza. Residents with questions can also contact the health department at (856) 218-4102.
Upcoming vaccination clinics will be available at the health department, 204 East Holly Ave. in Sewell, unless otherwise noted:
Wednesday – Nov. 29, noon to 1 p.m., Franklin Township Community Center, 1548 Coles Mill Road, Franklinville.
Monday – Dec. 4, 2 to 3 p.m.
Thursday – Dec. 7, 5 to 6 p.m.
Monday – Dec. 11, 4 to 5 p.m.
Thursday – Dec. 14, 1 to 2 p.m.
Monday – Dec. 18, 3 to 4 p.m.
Thursday – Dec. 21, 4 to 5 p.m.
Thursday – Dec. 28, 3 to 5 p.m., daycare, preschool, family clinic