Clifton Health Dept. Offers Seasonal Flu Shots
CLIFTON, NJ – The Clifton Health Department is offering seasonal quadrivalent flu vaccines beginning in September. Quadrivalent flu vaccine offers protection against four (4) different strains of the flu virus. This is the regular flu shot that is given each year. The seasonal flu vaccine is effective for only one year, so last year’s flu shot will not protect you this year. A limited number of “high-dose” trivalent flu vaccines will also be offered to those 65 years of age and over. The “high-dose” flu vaccine offers protection against three different strains of flu virus. The vaccination clinics are being held:
- every Wednesday, beginning September 24th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM;
- Monday, September 22nd from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM;
- Saturday, September 27th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM;
- Tuesday, October 7th from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The clinics will take place at the Health Department Clinic, 2nd floor in City Hall, and are by appointment only. On-line registration is strongly encouraged. Please contact www.njpublichealth.com to register. If you are unable to register on-line, please call (973) 470-5760. All dates are tentative and subject to change.
Persons with Medicare Part B as their primary insurance can receive the flu vaccine for FREE. Pneumonia vaccine is limited and ONLY available to Medicare Part B card holders. Individuals MUST bring their Medicare card for presentation at the clinic. Individuals with an HMO, no insurance, or a primary insurance other than Medicare Part B will be asked to pay $20.00 in cash or check for the flu vaccine. If you are a Clifton Board of Education employee, the fee is $15.00 for the flu vaccine. We do not accept Medicaid or Food Assistance Programs. If you are enrolled in these programs, you will be required to pay at the time of service.
The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About two (2) weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
John E. Biegel, III, Health Officer for the City of Clifton, states, “The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine each flu season. It is especially important that the following groups 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 aged 6 months to 2 years
- 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.
Examples of people at high risk of having serious flu complications are those who have diabetes, a heart condition, asthma, chronic lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other serious medical problems that make them at high risk for flu.
According to Biegel, “It is important that people realize they cannot get the flu from the vaccines; however, people who are allergic to eggs should consult their physician before getting vaccinated.” If you have any questions regarding whether or not you should receive this vaccine, please consult your private physician prior to calling the Health Department for an appointment.
The Clifton Health Department is a contractual health agency serving the Township of Little Falls.
–Clifton Health Department