WOODBURY — Gloucester County Department of Health has been gearing up over the past several weeks to provide flu shots to county residents.
Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger and Freeholder Jim Jefferson, Liaison to the Department of Health said that the county is on course to begin its 13-week campaign to help residents beat the flu this season.
Damminger said, “One of the easiest and best ways to stay flu free this year is to get your flu shot. The Health Department has scheduled 35 flu shot clinics and we anticipate administering up to 15,000 immunizations this year.”
Damminger stated, “There is a flu shot clinic scheduled in every town so that residents can easily access this service. 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.”
Freeholder Jim Jefferson, Liaison to the Department of Health said that getting your no-cost flu shot is easy and convenient.
Jefferson said, “The flu can be deadly to some people, especially the very young and elderly. We have clinics during evening hours, on weekends, special clinics just for daycare and pre-school aged children and their families, and drive-thru clinics for seniors and those who have a hard time standing in line.
“There is no cost for our residents and we make it so easy there is no excuse not to get immunized,” said Jefferson.
This flu season the Gloucester County Department of Health will be offering ONLY quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine. This year’s quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine contains the following four viruses: A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus; A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus; B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus; B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The county does not carry every type of flu vaccine formulation such as nasal, intradermal, and egg free. If you would like more information about this year’s flu vaccine please visit www.cdc.gov/flu.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the Flu Vaccine for all persons aged six months and over. The clinic is available to Gloucester County residents only. Proof of residency is required.
Drive-Thru Clinics have been scheduled to accommodate those citizens that have difficulty walking or standing in lines.
If you choose to attend a Drive-Thru clinic please complete paperwork prior to arriving by printing it from our website www.gloucestercountynj.gov. Remember to place your car in park when you arrive at the nurse. Do not bring your dog along to a drive thru clinic. Please do not attend a drive thru clinic if you have never received a flu shot before.
Please do not send your child with a family member who is not their legal guardian. Children ages six months-18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Children under the age of nine 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 December 31, 2016 to be allowed to attend daycare in 2017. Special “Daycare/Preschool/Family” clinics have been included for this population.
It is NOT recommended to bring children to the drive thru clinics.
Those who are allergic to eggs or any vaccine component, who are on immunosuppressive therapy (cancer treatment or steroid therapy), with multiple sclerosis, previous attacks of GBS, or other recurring or persistent neurological illness should only receive their flu vaccine from their doctor.
Residents with questions can contact the Gloucester County Department of Health at (856) 218-4101.
2016 Flu Schedule
Nov. 3: 10 to 11 a.m., South Harrison Municipal Building, 664 Harrisonville Road, Harrisonville
Nov. 3: 1 to 2 p.m., Newfield Municipal Building, 18 Catawba Avenue, Newfield
Nov. 7: 10 to 11 a.m., Elk Township Municipal Bldg, 680 Whig Lane, Monroeville
Nov. 7: 4 to 6 p.m., Daycare/Preschool/Family Clinic, Gloucester County Health Department, 204 East Holly Avenue, Sewell
Nov. 10: 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Bethesda Methodist Church, 1435 Kings Highway, Swedesboro
Nov. 14: 4 to 5:30 p.m., National Park Fire Hall Hessian and Grove Road, National Park
Nov. 15: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Trinity Methodist Church, 351 Delsea Drive, Clayton
Nov. 15: 12 noon to 1 p.m., Franklin Township Community Center, 1548 Coles Mill Road, Franklinville
Nov. 15: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Logan Municipal Building, 125 Main Street, Bridgeport
Nov. 16: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Woolwich Municipal Building, 120 Village Green Drive, Woolwich
Nov. 17: 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Cedar Grove Club, 1A Whippoorwill Way, Mantua
Nov. 29: 4 to 5:30 p.m., Westville Community Center, 1035 Broadway, Westville
Dec. 5: 4 to 6 p.m., Daycare/Preschool/Family Clinic, Gloucester County Health Department, 204 E. Holly Avenue, Sewell
Dec. 12: 2 to 4 p.m., Gloucester County Health Department 204 E. Holly Avenue, Sewell
Dec. 19: 1 to 3 p.m., Gloucester County Health Department 204 E. Holly Avenue, Sewell
Dec. 22: 1 to 3 p.m., Gloucester County Health Department 2
