The Health Department will be administering flu vaccine by appointment only. High dose flu vaccines are available for ages 65 and older. Please call our office to schedule an appointment. (609-492-1212)
Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Flu vaccine also has been shown to be life-saving in children.
The flu vaccine protects against several different flu viruses (strains). Flu vaccines are updated every year to
better match the viruses circulating in the public. Getting the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu! The vaccine is made with inactive (killed) virus strains which are not infectious.
Who Should Get Vaccinated this Season?
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu–related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu–related complications
- Pregnant women
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long–term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Medications are available by prescription for the prevention (usually in the event of an outbreak) and treatment (within 2 days of onset of symptoms) of the flu in individuals 1 year of age and older. Your doctor will help decide whether you should get antivirals and which one you should get.
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