U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson
The Atlantic County Division of Public Health is providing a number of free flu clinics for residents 18 years and older beginning Sept. 28. This year, both walk-up and drive-thru clinics will be available by appointment.
In the Downbeach area, a Walk-up Flu Clinic will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 at St. James Church Memorial Hall, 9 S. Newport Ave., Ventnor.
A full list of dates, times and locations is available on the county website at www.aclink.org/flu, where residents can also make appointments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who can avoid the flu will help reduce the burden on the U.S. healthcare system that is already taxed due to COVID-19. Those who get flu shots will help minimize the co-mingling of flu and COVID-19 patients and the spread of infection from one to the other.
The flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms that may include fever, chills, cough, muscle or body aches, sore throat, headache and fatigue. And both present greater risk to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions such as heart and lung disease.
Atlantic County Public Health Officer Patricia Diamond encourages everyone to get a flu shot this year.
Whether they come to our facilities or receive it through their healthcare provider or local pharmacy, the most important thing is that they get vaccinated, she said.
Diamond noted that it may take up to two weeks for the antibodies to develop in your body, so the sooner you get a shot the better.
The flu vaccine cannot prevent all cases of the flu, but it helps reduce the likelihood of contracting the virus and may lessen its severity and duration. Residents can help prevent the spread of both flu and COVID-19 by continuing to practice recommended hygiene protocols including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home if sick, cleaning common touch items and areas and maintaining social distance.
