Get Flu Ready!
Flu season begins in October and continues into early spring (peaking in January and February). Everyone is encouraged to be aware and take preventive measures like getting a flu vaccine.
County Health Departments Coordinate Local Flu Clinics
Often, county health departments administer flu shots to county residents. Some counties offer this vaccine for free. Learn about local flu clinics in your county.
| Atlantic County | Gloucester County | Ocean County |
| Bergen County | Hudson County | Passaic County |
| Burlington County | Hunterdon County | Salem County |
| Camden County | Mercer County | Somerset County |
| Cape May County | Middlesex County | Sussex County |
| Cumberland County | Monmouth County | Union County |
| Essex County | Morris County | Warren County |
| If local flu clinics are not posted, call the department directly to determine the resources available in the county. | ||
Other Places to Get Your Flu Shot
Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHC) provide a full range of health services (including flu vaccine administration) to the underinsured and uninsured. Find a local FQHC. Local Pharmacies often provide free flu shots to those with health insurance. Check with the local pharmacy.
Flu Symptoms and How Germs Spread
Flu viruses are spread from person to person when germs are transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or simply talking to someone with the flu. They may also spread when people touch something with the flu virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose.
People infected with the flu may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others for longer than five to seven days.
What you can do to slow the spread of this virus:
- Get a flu shot.
- Wash your hands.
- Always cover your mouth when you cough.
- Stay home if you feel sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Limit contact with others as much as possible to help prevent the spread of illness. Stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities.
- If an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs, follow public health advice.
Since this condition is so easily transmitted, everyone is better off when we all learn the facts about the flu and its many variations. The New Jersey Department of Health has also devoted a portion of its website to flu education and preparedness and provided information on each form of influenza. For information in various languages, see the NJ Health Flu Documents and You Have the Power to Protect NJ.