The Burlington County Health Department has officially set their flu shot Thursdays 2019-20 schedule. From Oct. 17 through Jan. 9, the Burlington County Health Department will be traveling around the county administering flu shots for the upcoming season, which typically lasts between late October to March.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Burlington County Health Department’s website, flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu complications.
The CDC also recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated every flu season. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need two doses during a single flu season. Everyone else needs only one dose each flu season.
While the health department also recommends children to get a flu shot, children are not able to attend the same clinics as adults. Adult clinics are for individuals 18 years or older and will take place on Oct. 17 between 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Cranberry Hall Senior Center located in Medford and 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Library located in Westampton; and Nov. 14 between 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Patenaude Senior Center located in Willingboro and 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Daniel Keegan Senior Center located in Burlington; Nov. 21 between 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Pemberton Senior Center located in Browns Mills and 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Health Department located in Westampton; Dec. 12 between 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Carslake Community Center located in Bordentown and 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the FOP Community Center located in Roebling; and Dec. 19 between 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Cinnaminson Library located in Cinnaminson and 2 to 4 p.m. at the Burlington County Health Department located in Westampton.
Children clinics will be held between 4 and 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Dec. 5 and Dec. 26 at the Burlington County Health Department and between 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 at the health department. All children must be accompanied by their parent or guardian and show proof of guardianship.
Burlington County will also host three drive-thru flu clinics starting Oct. 23 between 10 a.m. and noon at Mt. Laurel EMS Station 369. The second and third drive-thru clinics will be Nov. 2 between 9 a.m. and noon at Burlington Township Middle School and Seneca High School, respectively.
Further stated on the Burlington County Health Department’s website by the CDC, it takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination. There are many flu viruses and they are always changing. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to protect against three or four viruses that are likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season. Even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match these viruses, it may still provide some protection. Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related visits to the doctor each year.
Vaccinations are free of charge to residents, although donations of $15 are appreciated for the flu shot. For more information, contact the Burlington County Health Department at (609) 265-5533.
