In light of the early and aggressive onset of the flu, the Camden County Freeholders have scheduled additional seasonal influenza immunization locations.
The clinics will provide a necessary public health service for residents that have not received their flu shots and make sure businesses stay productive with healthy employees.
In Cherry Hill on Jan. 16 at the municipal building, 820 Mercer St., and in Blackwood at the Gloucester Township Municipal Building, 1261 Chews Landing Road, residents can stop in between 9 a.m. and noon.
“In order to keep your family healthy this flu season, we encourage you to take advantage of this beneficial service provided by Camden County,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department. “We have scheduled additional flu shot sites because the CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccinations this flu season.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in high flu states 70 percent to 80 percent of the coughs you hear around you right now stem from the flu. These statistics further emphasize the need to vaccinate as many residents as possible throughout the County.
“This is an early season, with more influenza activity being reported at this time than has been seen during recent flu seasons,” Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako said. “The CDC is watching the situation closely and will provide additional information, including interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates, as it becomes available.”
A statement released by the CDC on Jan. 4, explained that influenza activity continues to increase in the United States and most of the country is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness.
“Reports of influenza-like-illness are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” according to Dr. Joe Bresee, Chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in CDC’s Influenza Division. “While we can’t say for certain how severe this season will be, we can say that a lot of people are getting sick with influenza and we are getting reports of severe illness and hospitalizations. Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now.”
“Flu shots are recommended to those in high priority groups including Senior Citizens, pregnant women and chronically ill individuals,” Freeholder Rodriguez said. “Flu shots are also recommended to people with weakened immune or cardiovascular systems, or with chronic metabolic diseases, renal dysfunction or blood disorders. “
Those aged 9 and older must be accompanied by an adult; those under the age of nine are not included in the program. Children under 9 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.
For other information, contact the county Department of Health and Human Services at 1–800–999–9045, or visit www.camdencounty.com.
