For Immediate Release:
November 5, 2015
There is still time to get your flu shot
Health Dept. adds clinic in Shrewsbury Dec. 4
SHREWSBURY, NJ – The Monmouth County Health Department has added a flu clinic on Friday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center at 1979 Crawford St.
“We are getting ready to enter the peak of flu season, which is generally from December to February, but can go as late as May,” said Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County Health Officer. “We strongly urge anyone over six months of age and at risk of flu-related complications to get the seasonal vaccine from the County Health Department or your health care provider.”
A previously scheduled flu clinic will be held at the Hazlet Municipal Building at 1776 Union Ave. on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
At the clinics, Monmouth County residents will pay $25 for the seasonal influenza vaccine. The vaccines are free to seniors with Medicare Part B. Accepted insurance companies are Aetna, Humana, Medicare RR, United Mine Workers of America, Coventry Health Care, Cigna, United Health Care and Three Rivers Health. The County Health Department does not accept or bill other insurance companies, but the Health Department staff will provide a receipt suitable for submission to a health insurance company.
Clinic participants will be screened by a registered nurse regarding risk factors and educated about the vaccine. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form for children six months to 18 years of age.
Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at increased risk for severe complications from the flu. People in the high-risk groups include:
- all children 6 months of age to 4 years;
people 50 years and older;
- adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, kidney, liver, neurological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes);
- people with compromised immune systems;
- women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season;
- children 6 months to 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;
- residents of long-term care facilities;
- people who are morbidly obese;
- household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5, and
- adults age 50 and above.
A yearly influenza vaccination should be considered for people who provide essential community services and people living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions.
Individuals who should not receive the influenza vaccine are:
- those with an allergy to eggs and egg proteins;
- anyone with a previous life threatening reaction to a flu vaccine, or
- individuals with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
“Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the timing, severity and length varies from one year to another,” said Merkel. “We are continuing to work with state and local health partners to monitor trends throughout the flu season.”
“County residents can help reduce the spread of the seasonal flu by continuing to use proper hygiene habits,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the Health Department.
For additional information, call the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456, or log onto www.VisitMonmouth.com for the complete schedule.
The Monmouth County Health Department provides public health services for residents of the following towns: Aberdeen, Allentown, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Eatontown, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Hazlet, Holmdel, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Millstone, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Oceanport, Ocean Grove, Roosevelt, Shrewsbury Township and Union Beach.
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