Southern Ocean County Hospital to Sponsor Drive Thru Flu Shots

September 18, 2009

Residents of southern Ocean County will soon be rolling up their sleeves and rolling down their car windows to take advantage of Southern Ocean County Hospital’s Drive Thru Flu and Pneumonia Shot program. The hospital holds the Drive Thru Flu program annually in conjunction with the Ocean County Health Department. This year’s event will take place Tuesday, October 6, from 9 am – noon, at the Magic Wash Car Wash on Millcreek Road, Manahawkin.

“We look forward our annual event dedicated to helping people fight potentially dangerous sickness,” said Carol Schoenberger, RN, BSN, CDE, director of health resources at SOCH. “By administering the flu and pneumonia shots to people in their cars, we help some of our older patients, who have trouble getting into and out of their vehicle.  This event provides a fast, convenient safe method for people to receive these important shots.”

The cost of the flu and pneumonia shots are covered by Medicare B. Participants should bring their Medicare cards. Non Medicare patients, including those belonging to an HMO, can receive the flu or pneumonia shot for $20 each. Those who are under 65 and wish to have a pneumonia shot must provide a note from their physician. Shots cannot be provided to anyone under nine years of age.

Each year, about 114,000 Americans are hospitalized with the flu and about 20,000 people die from the illness and its complications, such as pneumonia.

Symptoms of the flu include sudden headache, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, aching muscles, fatigue and a high fever. Contrary to popular belief, stomach ailments—like nausea and vomiting—are uncommon.

Flu season in this country generally runs from November through March. The best time to get a flu shot is October or November. But even December or later is not too late, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Receiving a yearly flu shot is considered a good way to lower your chances of getting the disease. The flu vaccine—made from dead influenza viruses—cannot give you the flu.

 A flu shot is recommended if you: 


• Are over 50. 

• Live in a nursing home. 

• Have chronic heart or lung conditions, kidney disease, diabetes or HIV/AIDS. 

• Will be more than three months pregnant during flu season.

A flu shot is not recommended if you:

• Are allergic to eggs. 

• Have had severe reactions to flu shots in the past. 

• Have developed Guillain-Barre´syndrome after getting a flu shot.

Date posted: 09/18/09 @ 2:55 pm

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