As the number of COVID-19 Vaccine additional doses and boosters continues to be administered and the weather gets colder, flu season is right around the corner. 

Annual flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months and older. It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter, making it more important than ever to get both vaccinations. 

For more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on flu vaccines for the 2021-2022 flu season, please click here: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/flushot.htm. 

Influenza viruses and Corona viruses are different. Getting a flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19. However, the flu vaccine can reduce flu illness, hospitalizations, and can help to conserve potentially scarce healthcare resources during the pandemic.

The flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time. 

October is a good time to be vaccinated. It takes two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu infection. That's why it's best to get vaccinated before the flu starts to spread. However, you can get vaccinated anytime while the flu virus is circulating, even after January.

Flu vaccines are safe and effective and are offered in many locations including doctors’ offices, urgent care centers, pharmacies, local health departments, federally qualified health centers, and some non-profit organizations. 

This Thursday, October 14th, the Mendham Township Health Department will hold a flu vaccination clinic from 3:00pm - 6:00pm at the Emergency Services Building in the EMS Bay (1 Cherry Lane) in Brookside. Residents 65 and older will not be charged and are asked to bring their Medicare Part B card. Residents 18 - 64 years will be charged $45. Cash or check can be made out to the Township of Mendham. Appointments are required. Please call 973-285-6063 to book your appointment.

Have a great rest of your weekend and take care.

Sarah Neibart

Mayor, Mendham Township