County Offers Flu Shot Opportunities for Seniors and Children in October

COURT HOUSE – “The Cape May County Department of Health has several opportunities for residents to get their annual flu shot in October,” said Freeholder Gerald Thornton. “We’re not seeing influenza yet in our community, so now is a good time to get vaccinated and protect yourself from the flu this season.” Health Officer Kevin Thomas reminds residents that, “the CDC recommends an annual flu shot every year as the best way to protect against getting the flu. Because the body’s immunity against flu viruses declines over time, it’s important to get vaccinated every year.”
The Department of Health has three flu clinics scheduled, two for seniors and one for children and their families.
Special Senior High-Dose Flu & Pneumonia Clinics: These clinics are for residents 65 years and older. The Department of Health is offering the high-dose and standard dose flu vaccine as well as the pneumonia vaccine at the senior clinics. The high-dose vaccine is the only flu vaccine licensed only for seniors. The high-dose vaccine is available at no cost for persons who have the following insurance as their primary payer: Medicare Part B, Aetna, Humana, and United Mine Workers of America.
Otherwise, it is available for $45 (check or credit card). A receipt will be provided that can be submitted to other insurance companies for reimbursement. The standard-dose flu vaccine will also be offered at no cost. The pneumonia vaccine is available for $15 (cash or check). Residents should bring their Medicare cards and supplemental insurance cards to the clinic.
Consent forms for these clinics are only available onsite. Senior clinics will be held at the following locations:
• Ocean City Senior Center: Tue., Oct. 4 from 9 – 11 a.m.
• County Department of Health: Thu., Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• County Department of Health: Wed., Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Lower Township Senior Center: Thu., Oct. 20 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Children and Families Clinics: Two free flu clinics are planned for children through 18 years and their families. A limited supply of FluMist (nasal spray) vaccine is available in addition to the injectable vaccine and will be offered to children on a first come, first served basis.
•Wed., Oct. 5 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Glenwood Avenue Elementary School in Wildwood (Glenwood & New York Ave)
•Wed., Oct. 19 from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Department of Health in CMCH (6 Moore, Rd, bldg #17)
Mark your calendar! The Department of Health will hold its popular free drive-through flu clinic for residents 14 years and older on Sun., Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kindle Ford Autoplaza.
For all County Flu Clinics: Persons with a severe allergy to eggs, other vaccine components, or who have been told by a doctor that they have had Guillain-Barre syndrome need to receive the flu vaccine from their personal physician. Persons with a severe allergy to latex or Thimerosal can receive the vaccine from the Department of Health, but not at the drive-through clinic.
Clinic dates, locations and times, as well as, consent forms will be posted at capemaycountygov.net and cmchealth.net and on the County’s flu hotline 463-6581. Also, Clinics will be posted on the Cape May County Government and the CMC Department of Health’s Facebook pages.