East Windsor Offers Flu Shots For Residents Over 60

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ — The East Windsor Township Health Department will hold free seasonal flu clinics for East Windsor and Hightstown residents over the age of 60, township officials said on Friday. The flu shot clinics will be held on Friday, Oct. 20, and Tuesday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, at the East Windsor Township Senior Center, 40 Lanning Boulevard.

The East Windsor Township Health Department encourages individuals, particularly those at risk to continue to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. The vaccinations are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call the East Windsor Township Health Department at 609-443-4000, ext. 222.

“East Windsor Township is pleased to provide these important free flu clinics to the senior citizens of our community,” East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov said. “We encourage all seniors to take advantage of this valuable preventative East Windsor Health Department program.”

In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. The illness typically hits its peak in January or February, but can be expected as early as October and hit as late as May. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, so county officials recommend getting vaccinated early in the fall to help reduce the chances of getting sick before the vaccine is able to provide full protection.

Those 65 years and older, children under two, and those with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of experiencing complications from the flu. However, an annual flu shot is recommended for all residents aged six months and older by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a bad cold and the flu, but a primary care provider may be able to test patients within the first few days of symptoms in order to determine if the sickness is, in fact, the flu.

Symptoms of the flu include: 100F or higher fever or feeling feverish, cough and/or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and/or body aches, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children).

Patch file photo