The Burlington County Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien kicked-off the Burlington County Health Department’s annual Seasonal Flu Clinics by receiving the vaccination herself. The first free public clinic was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 29.
“Flu season is nearly upon us. Starting this week, the Burlington County Health Department will be offering their seasonal flu clinics that provide county residents flu and pneumonia vaccines,” said O’Brien. “As the influenza viruses continually change it is highly important to get a flu shot every year to ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your loved ones.”
Those 65 years and older, children under two and those with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of experiencing complications from the flu, but an annual seasonal flu shot is recommended for all residents aged 6 months and older by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It spreads between people and can cause mild to severe illness. In some cases, the flu can lead to death. In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January or February, but it can occur as early as October and as late as May. For the vaccine to provide full protection against the flu, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body. Getting vaccinated early in the fall helps to reduce the chances residents may get sick the flu before the vaccine is able to provide full protection.
“Clinics are currently scheduled across the county through December,” explained O’Brien. “Residents who wish to register for clinics in advance can do so by visiting the Health Department’s section of the County website (pubhealth.co.burlington.nj.us/public/). Walk-ins are also welcome.”
It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a bad cold and the flu, your primary care provider may be able to test you within the first few days of symptoms in order to determine if you have the flu or not.
Symptoms of the flu include: a 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher fever or feeling feverish; a cough and/or sore throat; a runny or stuffy nose; headaches and/or body aches; chills; fatigue; and nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, most common in children.
The following is a schedule of flu clinics until the end of the year. With the exception of the Drive Thru Clinic, all clinics will be held on Thursdays (Date, time, location, address):
Thursday, Oct. 13, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Pemberton Senior Center, 300 Brooks St. in Browns Mills
Thursday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Vincentown Fire Co. #1, 16 Race St. in Southampton
Thursday, Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Gibson House, 535 East Main St. in Evesham
Thursday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Cranberry Hall Senior Center, 44 Charles St. in Medford
Thursday, Oct. 27, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Moorestown Library, Room A 111 West 2nd St. in Moorestown
Thursday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mt. Laurel Senior Center, 100 Mt. Laurel Road in Mt. Laurel
(CHILD CLINIC) Thursday, Nov. 3,4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Moorestown Mall, Route 38 in Moorestown
Thursday, Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Daniel Keegan Senior Center, 522 Wood St. in Burlington
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Patentaude Senior Center, 429 John F. Kennedy Way in Willingboro
Thursday, Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Palmyra Community Center, 30 W. Broad St. in Palmyra
Thursday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Cinnaminson Library, 1619 Riverton Road in Cinnaminson
(CHILD CLINIC) Thursday, Dec. 1, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Burlington Center Mall, Route 541 in Burlington
Thursday, Dec. 8, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Carslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks St. in Bordentown
Thursday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., FOP Community Center, 69 Main St. in Roebling
Thursday, Dec. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Rowan College at Burlington County, 1 High St. in Mt. Holly
Thursday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Burlington County Health Department, 15 Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton
(CHILD CLINIC) Thursday, Dec. 29, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Burlington Center Mall, Route 541 in Burlington
(CHILD CLINIC) Thursday, Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Burlington County Health Department, 15 Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton
For more information on the flu, please contact the Burlington County Health Department at (609) 265–5533 or online at www.co.burlington.nj.us/health. Additional information can be accessed online at www.cdc.gov/flu or www.flu.gov. The Burlington County Health Department’s Raphael Meadow Health Center is located at 15 Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton within the county complex.
