COURT HOUSE – The county’s flu shot clinic administered 2,174 shots Oct. 6. to those aged 14 and up. The recipients arrived in waves of vehicles to get a free flu shot administered by county Health Department employees and volunteers. Some stood on Bayberry Drive to hand drivers and passengers forms prior to inoculation at Kindle Autoplaza on Stone Harbor Boulevard.
It was this year’s only Drive-through and Prevent the Flu! Clinic.
According to Director Kevin Thomas of the Cape May County Health Department who was present at the annual clinic, over 70 persons joined forced to make the clinic a reality. They included 36 volunteer Health Department employees; 13 members of the county’s Medical Reserve Corps; six from Cape Regional Medical Center and 18 were students from the county Technical School’s Licensed Practical Nurse program.
Thomas also said the day’s clinic was county funded. Some other clinics receive funding from the federal government and other sources, such as private insurance companies.
There was a large crowd waiting when the clinic opened at 8 a.m. Then, through the morning, the crowd ebbed and flowed. Thomas theorized many arrived when church services ended. His idea seemed to prove true, as the line of vehicles began to build about 10:30 a.m.
Once that resurgence began, Thomas said it did not slow until the end. He said there were only about 100 doses remaining as the doors closed.
For those who may have missed the clinic there will be others in various locations to afford everyone who desires to get a shot to prevent the flu.
Thomas cited a clinic in Ocean City at St. Francis Church that Lynn Rybicki, a county retiree, helped to coordinate. He said over 400 doses were administered at that one.
He also said clinics were being held in schools, including Woodbine and Wildwood and North Wildwood in order to protect young children.
To keep up to date on all of the County’s flu clinics, check the website at www.cmchealth.net or call the flu hotline at 463-6581.
High-dose flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine will be offered at special senior clinics. The high-dose vaccine is a flu vaccine licensed only for seniors. It is available at no cost for persons who have the following insurance as their primary payer: Medicare Part B, Aetna, CIGNA, Coventry, Humana, Medicare Railroad, Three Rivers, United Healthcare, and United Mine Workers of America. The standard-dose flu vaccine is also available for free, regardless of insurance coverage.
The pneumonia vaccine is available for $15 (cash or check). Bring Medicare cards and supplemental insurance cards to the clinic. Consent forms for the high-dose flu vaccine are only available onsite. High-dose flu vaccine will be offered on the following dates and locations:
Oct. 8, 9-11a.m. Ocean City Senior Center, 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City.
Oct. 23, 2-6 p.m. County Department of Health, 6 Moore Road (Bldg. 17), Court House.
Children and Families clinics are for all children older than 6 months of age and their families. While supplies last, the FluMist nasal spray will also be offered at these clinics. As a reminder, children less than 5 years of age in daycare or preschool must get vaccinated against the flu each year to attend school after December. Children and Families clinics are scheduled on the following dates and locations:
Oct. 10, 3-5 p.m. Glenwood Avenue Elementary School, Glenwood & NY Ave, Wildwood
Oct. 23, 2-6 p.m. County Department of Health, 6 Moore Road (Bldg. 17), Court House
Oct. 30, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Margaret Mace Elementary School, 1201 Atlantic Ave, N. Wildwood
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