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Politics & Government

Adult Flu Clinic

Appointments necessary. Register online, beginning Sept. 7. Click here to register.

You must bring your Medicare card with you or fee must be paid ($20 Flu or Pneu, cash or check made out to SPUH).

From the desk of Nancy MacKay, South Brunswick Health Department:

The CDC is again recommending that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against influenza. Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death. It is spread from person to person mainly through coughing or sneezing or touching something with the flu virus on it.

It can be spread 1 day before symptoms and up to 5 days after symptoms occur.  An estimated 36,000 people die each year in the U.S. from influenza complications. Even healthy adults and healthy children can get very sick from the flu. However, certain people are even at greater risk for serious complications: people 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years, people with chronic health conditions (asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease and neurological conditions), those who are immuno- suppressed, and pregnant women. 

Since the virus changes each year, you must get a flu vaccine every year. This year the seasonal flu vaccine again includes H1N1. Flu shots are safe and cannot give you the flu because they are made from killed or very weakened virus, but there may be some mild side effects. The most common side effects are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling at the injection site.

Although the best protection against influenza is getting vaccinated, handwashing (20 seconds with soap and water or 60 percent alcohol waterless hand sanitizer) is also an important preventive strategy. If you do have symptoms of the flu: fever, headache, extreme tiredness, sore throat, or muscle aches, call your medical provider and stay home.

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