FREEHOLD, NJ – As the cooler months approach, it’s time for Monmouth County residents to protect themselves against the influenza by getting vaccines.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released their immunization recommendations for the 2018-2019 influenza season, highlighting the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. The flu can be a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death, and the CDC recommends that everyone six months and older be vaccinated against the flu annually.

 

“Peak influenza season will be here very soon,” said Freeholder Patrick Impreveduto, liaison to the Monmouth County Health Department. “It’s important that residents be vigilant in protecting themselves and reducing the spread of the flu and many other illnesses.”

 

The Monmouth County Health Department will hold Flu Clinics in preparation for influenza season in member municipalities throughout September and October:

 

Wednesday, September 19 NEPTUNE CITY

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Neptune City Community Center

117 3rd Avenue

 

Thursday, September 27 KEYPORT

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Keyport Senior Center

110 2nd Avenue

 

Wednesday, October 3 COLTS NECK

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Colts Neck Inn

191 County Road 537

 

Friday, October 5 MARLBORO

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Marlboro Recreation Center

1996 Recreation Way

 

Wednesday, October 17 COLTS NECK

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Colts Neck Court House

124 Cedar Drive

 

Monday, October 22 HOWELL

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Howell Senior Center

251 Preventorium Road 

*Howell residents ONLY

 

Tuesday, October 23 HOWELL

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Villages (Club House)

100 Dag Hammarskjold Blvd.

*Howell residents ONLY

 

Wednesday, October 24 NEPTUNE

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Neptune Senior Center

1607 State Road 33

 

For updates on the schedule, please visit the Monmouth County Health Department’s event calendar. Flu shots will be available for anyone 36 months of age and older. The flu vaccine is covered by Medicare part B with proof of insurance. If you are not covered by Medicare, the cost of the flu vaccine is $25.

 

Influenza symptoms include cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, chills and fatigue. A fever may or may not be a symptom of the flu. According to the CDC, most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are in a high risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. For information about high risk group, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.

 

Please note for the 2018-2019 season, the CDC recommends use of the flu shot (inactivated influenza vaccine or IIV), the recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV), or the nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV). This is an interim recommendation that applies to the 2018-2019 season only.

 

The Monmouth County Health Department recommends that all residents avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too, and stay home when you are sick. Most importantly, wash your hands to protect yourself from germs and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

 

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

 

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, Englishtown, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Hazlet, Holmdel, Howell, Keyport, Lake Como, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Millstone, Neptune Township, Neptune City, Oceanport, Ocean Grove, Roosevelt, Shrewsbury Township and Union Beach.

 

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