By AUBRIE GEORGE
Haven’t had your flu shot yet? With the peak of flu season around the corner, you might want to get on that.
The Burlington County Health Department has declared next week “Burlington County Influenza Vaccination Week.” To encourage residents six months and older get a flu shot before the season peaks in February, the health department is partnering with community organizations to promote the importance of an annual flu shot.
“Our health professionals call this bringing ‘immunity to the community,’” Burlington County Freeholder, and former Medford Councilwoman, Mary Ann O’Brien, said in a statement released by the county. “And there is no getting around it — getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against the flu, but also their loved ones and everyone in the community-at-large.”
Throughout the next week, the health department is holding various vaccination clinics. Vaccination for county residents clinics include:
– Jan. 18: Flu shots will be available at the Burlington County Library’s headquarters in Westampton from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This clinic is for county residents 18 and older.
– Jan. 20: The Health Department will be offering free vaccinations to all county residents over the age of six months at the Burlington Center Mall.
– Jan. 21: Flu shots will be available at the Burlington County Human Services Building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at the YMCA of Burlington County’s Riverfront Branch from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
– The Moorestown Visiting Nurses Association is offering flu shots for free for Medicare patients or for a reduced fee of $15 for those without Medicare. Flu shots will be available Jan. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m.; Jan. 18 from 1 to 4 p.m.; Jan. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Jan. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. Residents should call 552–1300 ext 2196 for appointments.
Residents should also visit their family doctor or local drug store or supermarket to receive a flu shot and be on the lookout for employers, schools, colleges and universities that may offer flu vaccinations, according to county officials.
For more information about flu vaccination clinics, contact the Burlington County Health Department at (609) 265–5548.
