For Immediate Release:
October 6, 2008
County Health Department offering flu shots
16 sessions scheduled for residents in towns covered by the Department
FREEHOLD – In an effort to limit the effects of the 2008-09 flu season, the Monmouth County Health Department will be offering flu shots to eligible residents at 16 flu-shot clinics now through mid-November.
"Generally speaking, anyone over six months of age can receive the inactivated influenza vaccine," said Michael Meddis, Monmouth County's public health coordinator. “We strongly urge anyone at risk of flu-related complications to get the vaccine this fall. The dates, times, and locations of the upcoming flu shot sessions are available on the county’s Web site at
www.visitmonmouth.com.”
Individuals living in towns covered by the county’s Health Department are eligible to receive a flu shot at the county’s clinics. Those towns are: Allentown, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Howell, Lake Como, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Millstone, Neptune, Neptune City, Oceanport, Ocean Grove, Roosevelt, Union Beach and Wall.
Two flu-shot sessions, Oct. 9 in Hazlet and Oct. 15 in Freehold Twp., are specifically for children age 6 months to 18 years. Additional dates have been coordinated for residents of Howell.
The cost for the vaccine is $20. The flu vaccine is free to seniors with Medicare Part B. The county program does not accept or bill insurance companies, but will provide a receipt suitable for submission to a health insurance company.
Those who should receive the vaccination include:
- children from 6 months to 5 years of age;
anyone 50 years of age or older;
- anyone 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment;
- women who will be pregnant during influenza season;
- anyone with long-term health problems, including heart, kidney, lung or a metabolic disease (such as diabetes), asthma, anemia, and other blood disorders;
- anyone with a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids, cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs;
- anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or severe cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems, and
- residents of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities.
Influenza vaccine is also recommended for anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for flu-related complications, including health care providers, household contacts and caregivers of children from birth to 5 years of age, and household contacts and caregivers of people 50 years and older or with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.
A yearly influenza vaccination should be considered for people who provide essential community services and people living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions.
For additional information, call the Monmouth County Health Department at (732) 431-7456, or log onto
www.visitmonmouth.com/health for the complete schedule.
# # #
2008 Monmouth County Health Department Influenza Vaccine Schedule
10/07/2008, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Marlboro, Recreation Center, 1996 Recreation Way
10/09/2008, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Manasquan, Borough Hall - 201 E Main St
10/10/2008, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Englishtown, Municipal Building - 15 Main St
10/14/2008, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Matawan, Community Center - 201 Broad St
10/14/2008, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Atlantic Highlands, SeniorCenter - Simon Lake
10/21/2008, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Allentown, First Aid Building - 526 Walker Ave.
10/21/2008, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Roosevelt, Borough Hall - 33 N Rochdale Ave.
10/28/2008, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. , Aberdeen , Municipal Building, One Aberdeen Square
10/29/2008, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. , Freehold Twp. , Monmouth County Health Dept Office,
3435 Highway 9
11/10/2008, 9 a.m. – 12 noon , Neptune Senior Center, 1825 Corlies Avenue,
Dates for Children only (6mo. to 18 years)
10/9/2008, 4 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Hazlet (children only), CullenCenter – 1776 Union Ave.
10/15/2008, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Freehold Twp. (children only), Monmouth County Health Dept Office,
3435 Highway 9
Dates for Howell Residents Only (age 60 plus)
10/20/2008, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Howell , Howell Villages, Hwy 9 & Wykoff Rd
10/20/2008, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Howell , Surrey Downs Clubhouse, 1 Queen Ann Blvd.
10/23/2008, 9 a.m.-10 a.m., Howell , Crossroads, 720 Hwy 9 South
10/23/2008, 10:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Howell , Friendship Gardens, 100 Friendship Rd.
(Friendship Gardens residents only)
10/23/2008, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Howell , Senior Center, Preventorium Rd.