Monmouth County 2013 Health Department Seasonal Flu Vaccine Schedule

The Monmouth County Health Department is offering flu shots to County residents at 29 flu-shot clinics now through late October, according to a press release.

At the clinics, Monmouth County residents will pay $25 for the seasonal influenza vaccine. The vaccines are free to seniors with Medicare Part B. Accepted insurance companies are Aetna, Humana, Medicare RR, United Mine Workers of America, Coventry Health Care, Cigna, United Health Care and Three Rivers Health. The County Health Department does not accept or bill other insurance companies, but the Health Department staff will provide a receipt suitable for submission to a health insurance company.

Clinic participants will be screened by a registered nurse regarding risk factors and educated about the vaccine. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form for children six months to 18 years of age.

Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at increased risk for severe complications from the flu. People in the high-risk groups include:

• all children 6 months of age to 4 years;
• people 50 years and older;
• adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, kidney, liver,
• neurological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes);
• people with compromised immune systems;
• women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season;
• children 6 months to 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;
• residents of long-term care facilities;
• people who are morbidly obese;
• household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5, and
• adults age 50 and above.

A yearly influenza vaccination should be considered for people who provide essential community services and people living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions.

Individuals who should not receive the influenza vaccine are: 

• those with an allergy to eggs and egg proteins;
• anyone with a previous life threatening reaction to a flu vaccine, or 
• individuals with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. 

“Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the timing, severity and length varies from one year to another,” said Michael A. Meddis, Monmouth County’s public health coordinator in the release. “We are continuing to work with state and local health partners to monitor trends throughout the flu season.”

• Sept. 24, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Keyport, Senior Center, 110 2nd Avenue
• Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Marlboro, Recreation Center, 1 Recreation Way
• Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - noon, Hazlet, Municipal Building, 1776 Union Avenue
• Oct. 3, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., Aberdeen, Municipal Building, 1 Aberdeen Square
• Oct. 7, 10 a.m. – noon, Union Beach, Borough Hall, 650 Poole Avenue
• Oct. 7, 1:30 – 3 p.m., Matawan, Community Center, 201 Broad Street
• Oct. 13, 8 a.m. – noon, Keyport, Saint Josephs Church, 376 Maple Place