Winter may be nearly half over, but the flu is still a threat. Fortunately, the Ocean County Health Department has flu shot clinics scheduled through the end of February.

We’ve all heard that this year’s immunization does not protect against all strains of the flu that have reached epidemic proportions this year, however there are still many benefits from receiving a flu shot.

The vaccine does protect some of the flu strains while lessening the severity of other forms of the virus. In other words, some protection is better than no protection at all.

The Ocean County Board of Health decided to offer additional flu clinics because of the high number of people who have come down with the virus in recent weeks.

The Federal Centers for Disease Control also recommend flu vaccines for nearly everyone over the age of 6 months.

Flu clinics are scheduled for the following dates in February:

• Tuesday, February 3 – Ocean County Health Department, 175 Sunset Ave., Toms River, from 2:30 – 4PM.
• Friday, February 6 – 333 Haywood Rd., Manahawkin, from 1 – 3PM.
• Monday, February 9 – 1771 Madison Avenue (Rt.9), Lakewood, 2^nd Floor Conference Room, from 10 – 12PM.
• Tuesday, February 17, Ocean County
  Health Department, 175 Sunset Ave., Toms River, from 2:30 – 4PM
• Thursday, February 26, 333 Haywood Rd., Manahawkin, from 1 – 3PM.

The vaccine is free for Medicare Part B patients or those with a Medicare Managed Care Plan. The cost is $20 for all others.

The federal government recommends annual flu vaccinations for nearly everyone 6 months and older. Flu vaccinations are especially important for the following people:

• Children 6 months through 4 years
• People 50 and older
• People with lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease and other chronic conditions or with compromised immune systems
• Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
• Health care workers
• Caregivers of children under 5 and caregivers of adults 50 and older.

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