“Due to high rates of flu activity in Ocean County, the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) has set up additional flu immunization clinics through the month of February so people can get vaccinated against the flu,” said Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health.

This flu season is expected to be worse than usual because the primary circulating strain –H3N2— could cause more severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths. As flu activity increases, the Health Department is advising people to get vaccinated if they have not already done so.
Although there has been concern that this year’s vaccine is not as protective against the flu, it can still decrease the severity of illness caused by the virus. It can also protect against other circulating strains of the virus, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends getting the vaccine. With the increased rates in flu activity, it is important to get the flu shot to protect you from getting the flu and also spreading it to others.
Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator, said, “We are reminding people that anyone over the age of six months should be vaccinated against the flu. It takes about two weeks to build up immunity after getting vaccinated. The Ocean County Health Department will continue to offer flu vaccination clinics as long as the flu is circulating.”
The federal government recommends annual flu vaccinations for nearly everyone 6 months and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says flu vaccinations are especially important for the following people:

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

Regenye added, “The following are the dates, times and sites of the flu immunization clinics. We will offer clinics throughout the county to make them more accessible to the public.

Wednesday, January 14 – Ocean County Health Department Northern Site, 1771 Madison Ave. (Rt. 9), Lakewood, 2nd Floor Conference Room, Lakewood, from 2 – 4PM
Tuesday, January 20 – Ocean County Health Department Clinic Site, 1163 Rt. 37, Suite C2, Toms River, from 2:30 to 4PM
Tuesday, February 3 – Ocean County Health Department, 175 Sunset Ave., Toms River,
from 2:30 – 4PM
Friday, February 6 – – 333 Haywood Rd. (Stafford Business Park), Manahawkin, from
1 – 3PM
Monday, February 9 – 1771 Madison Avenue (Rt.9), Lakewood, 2nd 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. (Stafford Business Park), Manahawkin from 4 – 7PM

To keep you and your family safe and healthy this flu season, please make sure anyone over the age of six months receives their flu shot, if you are sick, make sure you contact your healthcare provider immediately and follow these prevention techniques to prevent the spread of flu:

o Wash your hands with soap and water
o Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard tissue
o Avoid sick people
o Stay home when sick

Flu vaccination clinics dates, times and sites can also be found by visiting the Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org.

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