26 Sep
2020
26 Sep
'20
12:51 p.m.
It has been over 200 days since the first COVID-19 positive case in New Jersey.
We've been working together for the last six months to prevent the spread of COVID-19
in our community. We've been separated from family, friends and colleagues. Some of us
have lost loved ones to the illness. Many of those who have recovered from the illness
still struggle with long-term health effects, and many families have been financially
devastated.
However, COVID-19 is not the only virus that we need to deal with. As we continue to
grapple with the pandemic and the temperatures get colder, the flu season is right around
the corner.
This state is preparing for the possibility of a twindemic, a severe flu season and a
resurgence of COVID-19, which could strain healthcare resources. Getting a yearly flu
vaccine helps to protect you and those around you who might be especially vulnerable to
respiratory disease. The flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19; however, the
vaccine can reduce flu illnesses and hospitalizations. Since the two diseases have similar
symptoms, people who get the flu might opt to get tested or go into quarantine as a
precaution. Therefore, widely vaccinating against the flu can reduce unnecessary COVID-19
testing for the most vulnerable. According to Infection Control specialists at the
University of Chicago, those whose immune symptoms have been compromised by either of the
two illnesses are at a greater risk of contracting a more severe case of the other one.
Additionally, flu patients and COVID-19 patients require many of the same treatments,
including oxygen and ventilators, so it is critical to minimize the competition for these
scarce resources.
September and October are good times to be vaccinated. This year, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging residents to get vaccinated by the end of
October. 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.
The Mendham Township Health Department will hold two flu vaccination clinics this year.
The clinics will be on Thursday, October 15th from 4:00pm - 6:00 pm and Saturday, October
17th from 9:00am - 11:00am. Both clinics will be held at the Emergency Services Building
in the EMS Bay (2 West Main Street, 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
$35 (cash or check made out to Township of Mendham). Appointments are required. Please
call (973) 631-5353 to book your appointment.
In addition to the Mendham Township Flu Clinics, there are many locations to receive your
flu vaccine, such as your healthcare providers' office, federally qualified health
centers, and local pharmacies. Visit nj.gov/health<http://nj.gov/health> for
additional locations to get your flu vaccine.
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township