FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Health Department is offering flu shots to County residents at seven flu-shot clinics now through mid-October. 

Generally, anyone over six months of age can receive the seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine. The Health Department recommends that anyone at risk of flu-related complications get the seasonal vaccine. Dates, times and locations of the upcoming flu-shot clinics are available on the Health Department section of the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com .

At the clinics, Monmouth County residents will pay $25 for the seasonal influenza vaccine. The vaccines are free to seniors with Medicare Part B. The County Health Department does not accept or bill other insurance companies, but the Health Department staff will provide a receipt.

Clinic participants will be screened by a registered nurse regarding risk factors and educated about the vaccine. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form for children six months to 18 years of age.

Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at increased risk for severe complications from the flu. People in the high-risk groups include:

• all children 6 months of age to 4 years;
• people 50 years and older;
• adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, kidney, liver, neurological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes);
• people with compromised immune systems;
• women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season;
• children 6 months to 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;
• residents of long-term care facilities;
• people who are morbidly obese, and
• household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5.

A yearly influenza vaccination should be considered for people who provide essential community services and people living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions.

Individuals who should not receive the influenza vaccine are: 

• those with an allergy to eggs and egg proteins;
• anyone with a previous life threatening reaction to a flu vaccine, or 
• individuals with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. 

“Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the timing, severity and length varies from one year to another,” said Merkel. “We are continuing to work with state and local health partners to monitor trends throughout the flu season.”

“County residents can help reduce the spread of the seasonal flu by continuing to use some good hygiene habits,” said Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley, liaison to the Health Department. “You need to be sure that you wash your hands thoroughly to protect yourself from germs and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available and you are using a hand sanitizer, be sure it contains at least 60 percent alcohol.”

For additional information, call the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456, or log onto www.visitmonmouth.com for the complete schedule.

The Monmouth County Health Department provides public health services for residents of the following towns: Aberdeen, Allentown, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Eatontown, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Hazlet, Holmdel, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Millstone, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Oceanport, Ocean Grove, Roosevelt, Shrewsbury Township and Union Beach. 

2017 Monmouth County Health Dept. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Schedule

Date                                              Time                                        Location  

Thursday, September 28         9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.      KEYPORT

                                                                                                          Senior Center 110 Second Street

Wednesday, October 4              11 a.m.  – noon                   COLTS NECK

                                                                                                          Colts Neck Inn

                                                                                                          Corner of Route 537 & Hayes Mill Road

Thursday, October 5                      2 p.m.  – 3:00 p.m.             ABERDEEN

                                                                                                          Aberdeen Municipal Building Court Room

                                                                                                          1 Aberdeen Square

Tuesday, October 10                     11 a.m.  – noon                   UNION BEACH

                                                                                                          Borough Hall, 650 Poole Ave

Wednesday, October 11          9:30 a.m.  – 10:30 a.m.     COLTS NECK

                                                                                                          Colts Neck Court House, 124 Cedar Drive

Tuesday, October 17                     10 a.m.  – noon                   HOLMDEL

                                                                                                          Holmdel Senior Center, 6 Crawfords Corner Road

Wednesday, October 18           10 a.m.  – 1 p.m.                 MARLBORO

                                                                                                          Recreation Community Center, 1996 Recreation Way