Need A Flu Shot? Check Out County Clinic Dates

If you or a family member have not received a flu shot yet for the 2015-16 flu season, the Ocean County Health Department is offering a number of clinics between now and March 24 to get one.

The shots are free to those enrolled in Medicare Part B, and cost just $20 for those who are not. Shots are available for both the flu and for pneumonia, and for infants 6 months of age or older through senior citizens.

This year’s flu shots will protect against up to four different strains of the flu, the health department said.

The health department’s northern site at 1771 Madison Ave., Lakewood, offers the shots every other Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. from Dec. 9 through March 23.

The southern office at 333 Haywood Road in Stafford offers the shots from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 10 and March 24.

The main office at 175 Sunset Ave., Toms River, offers the shots from 4-7 p.m. on Mondays and 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, on the following dates:

• Monday, Dec. 7, 4-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1-4 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 21, 4-7 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 4., 4-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1-4 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 1, 4-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb, 2, 1-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 1, 1-4 p.m.
• Monday, March 7, 4-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 15, 1-4 p.m.
• Monday, March 21, 4-7 p.m.

Health officials urge everyone 6 months of age or older to be vaccinated against seasonal flu every year. Those who have infants under 6 months of age are urged to get vaccinated because babies are at high risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated.

Officials say flu vaccination is especially important for pregnant women and people with chronic diseases.

There are three flu vaccines available:

Regular dose for all people 6 month of age or older;

High-dose injection in the muscle for people 65 years of age and older;

Intra-dermal injection into the skin for people ages 18-64 years of age

Also available is the pneumococcal vaccination.

For more information, click here.