Burlington County Offering Flu Shots on Thursdays Starting Sept. 19

By Nicole Rosenzweig

9/4/2024

Health & Wellness

The Health Department will hold weekly flu vaccine clinics on Thursdays at various locations throughout the county, starting on Sept. 19 with two clinics in Woodland Township and Washington Township. Subsequent clinics will be held in New Gretna, Wrightstown, Palmyra, Evesham, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Florence, Shamong, Tabernacle, Bordentown, Medford and Westampton.

“Influenza may not get the same attention as COVID, but every year thousands of people wind up in the hospital because of flu. It can cause serious illness and even death.,” said Dr. Herb Conaway, director of the Burlington County Health Department. “The best defense is a seasonal flu vaccine. No matter your age, health and occupation, we recommend you take advantage of this available tool to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Burlington County Commissioner Dan O’Connell, the liaison to the Health Department, said the flu vaccine clinics ensure every resident has access to important preventative medicine.

“Burlington County consistently ranks as one of the healthiest locations in America, and programs like this one are what make a difference,” O’Connell said. “Flu vaccines offer important protection and we’re grateful for the work of our Health Department to make sure they are accessible to everyone.”

All 20 flu shot clinics will be walk-up and open to anyone 6 months or older. The vaccines are available free-of-charge to county residents, but donations are accepted and appreciated.

All residents 6 months and older are encouraged to get vaccinated, but health officials stress the shot is especially important for elderly residents, young children, pregnant women and those who have chronic health problems. People who work in a nursing home, long-term health care facility or health care setting are also strongly recommended to obtain the vaccine.

In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January or February, but it can occur as early as October and as late as May.

For the vaccine to provide full protection against the flu, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body.

In addition to the flu shot, the Health Department also encourage residents 6 months and older to obtain the updated COVID-19 vaccination. Updated COVID vaccines were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month and they are now available at most commercial pharmacies, physician offices and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

The updated vaccines more closely targets currently circulating COVID variants and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says they provide the best protection against serious illness.

The Burlington County Health Department plans to offer the updated COVID shots to uninsured and underinsured adults, along with young children between 6 months and 11 years-old. Details about the COVID vaccine clinics will be announced once a schedule is finalized.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is also a seasonal concern. While RSV commonly causes illness in children and is the most common cause for hospitalization in infants, adults are also commonly infected with RSV. Adults over 60 years of age with chronic conditions such as lung disease and diabetes are especially vulnerable to severe disease and are recommended to receive vaccination against RSV, and all adults age 75 or older are recommended to receive vaccination against RSV. The vaccines are available at most retail pharmacies. Residents who received the RSV vaccine last year do not need to get the shot this year.

“The flu shot and updated COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are proven to be safe and effective protection against serious illness,” Dr. Conaway said. “Now is the time to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about getting these shots and the protection they offer.”

The schedule for the Burlington County flu vaccine clinics is as follows:

Sept. 19

9:30 AM-11:30 AM

Woodland Township Municipal Building

3943 Route 563, Chatsworth

Sept. 19

1 PM to 3 PM

Washington Township

Old Green Bank School

2436 Route 563, Egg Harbor City

Sept. 26

10 AM to Noon

New Gretna Fire Company

5 North Maple Avenue, New Gretna

Oct. 10

10 AM to Noon

Wrightstown Volunteer Fire Co.

21 Saylors Pond Road, Wrightstown

Oct. 10

2 PM to 4:30 PM

Palmyra Cove Nature Center

1335 Route 73 South, Palmyra

Oct. 17

9 AM to 11 AM

Evesham Fire Department

26 East Main Street, Evesham

Oct. 17

2 PM to 4 PM

Keegan Center

522 Wood Street, Burlington City

Oct. 19 (Saturday clinic)

10 AM to 2 PM

Burlington Township Municipal Building

851 Old York Road, Burlington Township

Oct. 24

10 AM to Noon

Palmyra Community Center

30 West Broad Street, Palmyra

Oct. 24

2 PM to 4 PM

Florence Township Municipal Building

711 Broad Street, Florence

Oct. 31

10 AM to Noon

Shamong Township Municipal Building

105 Willow Grove Road, Shamong

Oct. 31

2 PM to 4 PM

Fire Station 431

76 Hawkin Road, Tabernacle

Nov. 7

10 AM to Noon

Carslake Community Center

207 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown

Nov. 7

2 PM to 4 PM

Medford Township Municipal Building

49 Union Street, Medford

Nov. 14

10 AM to Noon

The Gibson House

535 East Main Street, Evesham

Nov. 21

2 PM to 4 PM