Health and Senior Services Commissioner Encourages Flu Vaccination
By njtoday.net
New Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary O'Dowd visited a pediatric flu clinic at the Center for Health Education Medicine and Dentistry in Lakewood today to highlight the importance of getting a flu shot and practicing good hygiene habits to reduce the spread of flu, colds and respiratory illnesses. During her visit to the flu clinic, the commissioner spoke with several children about how the flu is spread and how critical vaccination is to staying healthy.
"Vaccination is the best protection against the flu," O'Dowd said. "The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot. When you're vaccinated, you protect your health and your family's health."
During the visit, children received immunizations funded through New Jersey's Vaccines for Children Program. This is a federally funded, state operated vaccine supply program that provides pediatric vaccines at no cost to doctors to serve children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of an inability to pay. For more information on this program, visit: https://njiis.nj.gov/njiis/html/vfc.html.
Many groups, including people age 50 years and older; people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes; and pregnant women are at higher risk for complications from influenza. Home healthcare workers and caregivers of high-risk individuals should also get vaccinated. Voluntary vaccination for home healthcare workers is an essential preventive safeguard against exposure and protects patients from becoming infected through exposure to workers with influenza.
"It is especially important for the young, the elderly and health care workers to get flu shots to protect themselves, their families and the vulnerable within our communities," said O'Dowd. "The young and the elderly are most vulnerable to the flu and its complications."
Along with vaccination, O'Dowd emphasized that there are other steps to take to prevent the spread of illness:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Stay home if you are sick.
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