Flu season is definitely in full swing this time of year with a number of cases already being reported. Have you been vaccinated yet?

Leslie Terjesen, Ocean County Health Department
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The coughing. The wheezing. The sneezing. The searing throat pain. No it's not a NyQuil commercial. It's all the symptoms of the influenza stain going around right now. Yet many of us still refuse to roll up the sleeve. What gives?! Leslie Terjesen with the Ocean County Health Department thinks it has something to do with two common misconceptions.

Terjesen explains "many people believe they will get the flu if they get the shot. This isn't true. The strain of influenza in the shot is a dead one and it won't cause you to get sick. Sometimes, people get sick from being exposed to other strains that are living before they get the shot. Also, you must get re-vaccinated each year. One shot from one year doesn't carry over to the next."

Although symptoms last a few days in most people, there are other illnesses that can be mistaken for the flu. Sometimes, the high risk groups could end up in the hospital or even die from the affliction. The department recommends all people over six months of age get the shot, especially children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Make up clinics have been scheduled for the month of December:

Wednesday, December 14 - Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library - 3:30 p.m. till 6 p.m.

Thursday, December 15 - Berkeley Branch of the Ocean County Library - 10 a.m. - 12 noon

Thursday, December 22 - Ocean County Health Department - Lakewood Office - Madison Avenue - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 27 - Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library - 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursday, December 29 - Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library - 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Vaccines cost $20. They're free for non HMO Medicare part B subscribers, police, firefighters, CERT Team members and medical reserve corps staffers.

 

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