WEST MILFORD — The West Milford Health Department is offering flu and pneumonia vaccines for all residents at several clinics throughout the township this fall and winter. All people six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The flu season ranges from October to May and the CDC recommends that you get immunized with the flu vaccine as soon as it is available. If you are moderately or severely ill, the CDC recommends that you wait to be inoculated after you recover to get your shot.
Immunize your children
Fall weather is almost upon us and along with autumn comes the preparation of making sure that children are ready for school with all the necessary immunizations and physical exams. Children sit close to one another in classrooms and need to have the proper protection against the viruses that can spread throughout the school day. For those attending preschool and day care centers, parents should keep in mind that these infants and toddlers share toys, cough and sneeze without using tissues. Therefore, one way to protect your children and yourself is to immunize the whole family.
The New Jersey State Department has a specific mandate that requires infants get immunized from age six months to age 59 months and the Center for Disease Control also recommends that those six months and over be given the vaccine.
Children who have not received the flu vaccine will be excluded from school after Dec. 31, 2012 and especially if there is an outbreak. This year the CDC has changed their guidelines for those eligible to receive the influenza vaccine for 2012-2013 flu season to include:
All people 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine
Those 65 and older
Women who are pregnant and their immediate family members
Individuals with heart disease
Individuals with lung disease kidney
Individuals with weakened immunity
Individuals attending preschool and/or day care
Caretakers of infants, children and those who are immune compromised.
Medical personnel - first responders
It will take two weeks to develop immunity after the inoculation is given.
The West Milford Health Department has a limited quantity of nasal spray, which is a live formulation of the flu vaccine for those children who are afraid of injections. For those receiving the dead virus, the following are possible side effects:
Soreness, redness or localized swelling where the shot was given.
Hoarseness, sore, red or itchy eyes cough
Fever aches, headaches
Itching
Fatigue
Clinics throughout the township
The West Milford Health Department will be having flu and pneumonia clinics on the following dates and locations:
Thurs. Sept. 20, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting Room
Thurs. Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bald Eagle Commons, Grange Hall, Richmond Road
Fri., Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hillcrest, 1810 Macopin Road
Tues., Oct. 16, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting Room
Wed., Oct. 24, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. United Methodist Church, 65 La Rue Road, Newfoundland
Thurs., Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nurses’ Office - Childcare Health Conference and Flu Clinic
Thurs.,Nov. 29, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting Room
Wed., Dec. 12, 8:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nurses’ Office – Childcare Health Conference and Flu Clinic
Seniors who have Medicare Part B insurance coverage will most likely be covered for both pneumonia and flu shots. They should check with their insurance company to assure coverage.
For all other residents, the fee for flu vaccine is $12 and $30 for the pneumonia vaccine.
An appointment is necessary. Call the West Milford Health Department to schedule an appointment at 973-728-8924.