Seasonal Influenza
Seasonal Influenza ("The Flu")
Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. The best prevention against the flu is getting an annual flu vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that everyone 6 mounts of age and older get a flu shot each year. The timing of the flu season changes each year and is unpredictable. It is important to be protected before flu activity starts!
High- Dose Flu vaccine: The high- dose vaccine is a vaccine that provides 4 times the antigen, which produces an increased immune response in older adults. High-dose vaccine will be offered at senior center clinics and Cape May County Department of Health clinics only. High- dose is available while supplies last.
The seasonal flu season peaks between late January and late February in New Jersey. There is plenty of time to get a seasonal flu shot and be protected.
Annual flu shots are recommended for everyone older than 6 months. Both regular and high dose are quadrivalent and offered at no charge.
Consent Forms
Please have consent form filled out prior to arriving.
All flu clinics are as supplies last.
Adult and Children Clinic's for individuals 6 months and older:
| Location: | |
|---|---|
| November 17, 2023 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Library- Cape May Court House 30 Mechanic Street, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| December 5, 2023 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health 6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| December 19, 2023 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| December 21, 2023 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| December 27, 2023 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| December 28, 2023 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| January 2, 2024 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| January 3, 2024 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
High Dose Senior Clinics:
| Date/ Time: | Location: |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2023
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. |
Ocean City Senior Center
1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226 |
| October 17, 2023
2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| October 19, 2023 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. |
North Wildwood Senior Center
10th and Central Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260 |
| October 24, 2023
2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. |
Cape May County Department of Health
6 Moore Road, CMCH, NJ 08210 |
| October 26, 2023 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. |
Lower Township Senior Center
2612 Bayshore Road. Villas, NJ 08251 |
| October 31, 2023
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. |
Upper Township Senior Center
1369 Stagecoach Road, Ocean View, 08230 |
| October 31, 2023
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. |
Dennis Township Senior Center
571 Petersburg Road, Dennisville, NJ 08214 |
For All County Flu Clinics
- Persons with a severe allergy to eggs, other vaccine component, or who have been told by a doctor that they have had Guillain-Barre syndrome must receive the flu vaccine from their personal physician.
- Persons with a severe allergy to Thimerosal can receive a preservative free vaccine from the Department of Health.
Daycare & Preschool Vaccine Requirements
The New Jersey Department of Health requires all children 6 months through 59 months of age attending any child-care center or preschool facility to receive at least 1 dose of influenza vaccine between September 1 and December 31 each year. Children who are not vaccinated will not be able to attend school until the end of the flu season, which is currently estimated as the end of March.
Who Should Be Vaccinated?
Everyone older than 6 months is recommended for flu vaccination with rare exception. The following lists include all people recommended to get the flu vaccine and those who should not be vaccinated without first consulting their healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions regarding which flu vaccine options are best for you and your family.
While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s 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:
- American Indians/Alaskan Natives
- 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 or who are immunosuppressed
- 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 members and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
- Persons who are morbidly obese (BMI=40)
- Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant during flu season.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated?
Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
- Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group)
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous influenza vaccine.
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs are recommended to still receive the flu vaccine but must consult health-care provider prior.