Ocean County residents seeking influenza vaccinations from the Ocean County Health Department must attend the clinic designated for their town or neighborhood, a department spokesman said.
“In order for the program to work and be as fair as possible, eligible clients must attend the clinic that services their home address,” said Edward Rumen, the department’s public information officer. “Anyone showing up at a clinic not authorized for that person’s address will be turned away.
“Our limited amount of vaccine this flu season will be distributed to clinics around the county according to the percentage of senior citizens in each municipality,” Rumen said. “We want to be fair to everyone and want to give everyone the same opportunity as anyone else in the county to receive a flu shot this season.”
Rumen said would-be clients can contact their local town hall or call the health department at (732) 341-9700, ext. 7502 or (800) 342-9738. They also can check the department’s Web site at www.ochd.org for information. Clinics began Nov. 15 and will continue through Dec. 10 at various sites around the county.
Clients with a Medicare card need to bring the card and proof of residency with them to the clinic. Non-Medicare clients need to bring proof of residency plus a note from their doctor prescribing the flu shot and explaining in writing, not code, the diagnosis that places that person into a high-risk category.
“The state has told us that more vaccine may be available in December,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the health department. “If more flu vaccine becomes available, the health department will hold additional clinics.”
Rumen said the state also noted that hospitals, long-term care facilities and some doctors that normally administer flu shots are beginning to receive allocations of the flu vaccine.
The health department flu clinics scheduled include:
• Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon, Melvin Cottrell Senior Center, 45 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson. For Jackson and Plumsted residents only. There will be 700 doses available.
• Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, Lakewood Municipal Building, 231 Third St., Lakewood. For Lakewood residents only. There will be 500 doses available.
• Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ocean County Police Academy, Ocean County Park, Route 88, Lakewood. For Lakewood residents only. There will be 500 doses available.