Seasonal Influenza ("The Flu")

 

Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Flu Vaccination Clinics

The Cape May County Department of Health no longer has Seasonal Flu vaccine available.  Please contact your physician, local healthcare provider, or pharmacy to locate more Seasonal  flu vaccine.

 

The Department reminds residents to continue the healthy behaviors that will help prevent infection with the flu. These include washing hands frequently with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or coughing into a sleeve (not the hands), staying home when you’re sick, cleaning and disinfecting household surfaces, and avoiding close contact with persons who are sick.

  

Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Detailed information about the flu shot is available here in English.  Information about Thimerosal is available here.

 

 

 

All children 18 years and younger are recommended to receive an annual seasonal flu shot due to their risk of flu-related complications. The Department of Health strongly recommends that all children six months through 59 months of age attending any child-care center or preschool facility receive at least one dose of influenza vaccine contingent on vaccine availability.  Due to the nationwide shortage of seasonal flu vaccine this year, however, the State of New Jersey has temporarily suspended the mandatory requirement for children attending any child-care center or preschool facility to receive at least one dose of influenza vaccine.

 

Flu clinics are free of charge for Cape May County residents. Persons with an allergy to eggs or Thimerosal or persons who have been told by a doctor that they have had Guillain-Barre syndrome need a prescription from their physician to receive a flu vaccine. 

Free Flu Clinics are offered to the community by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Health.  

 

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high risk persons.

People recommended for vaccination during this season are:

 

·         Children aged 6 months up to their 19^th birthday

·         Pregnant women

·         People 50 years of age and older

·         People with certain chronic medical conditions, including:

o        heart disease; lung disease; asthma; kidney disease; metabolic disease, such as diabetes; anemia and other blood disorders; muscle or nerve disorders; weakened immune system (resulting from medication, cancer treatment or infection with HIV/AIDS); and children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy.

·         People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities

·         People who live with or care for those at high-risk for complications from flu, including:

o        Healthcare workers

o        Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

o        Household and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

 

·          Anyone who wants to decrease their risk of influenza.

**Please Note - Effective in 2008: The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services REQUIRES that children 6 months through 59 months of age attending any childcare or preschool facility on or after September 1, 2008 shall annually receive one dose of influenza vaccine between September 1 and December 31 of each year.

 

 

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

 

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.

 

Flu Activity in Cape May County

The Cape May County Monthly Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Surveillance Update is a monthly report which provides information on influenza-like illness activity, specifically for Cape May County.

 

Educational Resources  Key Facts About the Flu Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Questions & Answers Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Key Facts About the Influenza Vaccine Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Who Should Get a Flu Shot? Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Preventing the Flu Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  Treating the Flu Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Follow this link for information for a Summary of 2009-2010 Flu Activities

• Where can I get more information about flu vaccinations?
• Where else can I get a flu shot?
• Do I have a cold or the flu?
• What is the "stomach" flu?

 

Return to Overview

 

 

The seasonal flu season peaks between late January and late February in New Jersey. There is plenty of time to get a seasonal flu shot and be protected.