New Union County flu shot drive focuses on residents without health insurance.
Update October 2, 2020: Please note that the location of the October 8 flu shot drive has been changed. The new location is the Plainfield Cultural Arts Center, 724 Park Avenue.
Union County, NJ – As the flu season approaches, Union County is offering a series of free flu shot drives in local communities to help ensure that everyone has access to a free seasonal flu vaccine at a convenient location, especially residents who have no health insurance. Protection against seasonal flu is more important than ever before due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Public health experts are concerned that our medical resources will be overwhelmed if a seasonal flu outbreak combines with the COVID-19 crisis,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “If you have never gotten a seasonal flu shot before, now is the time to do it. Let’s all do our part to help our Union County family stay safe during the flu season.”
The goal of the free flu shot drive is to ensure that every Union County resident can get a flu shot this year, even if they have no health insurance.
The free flu shot drive is open to Union County residents age four and up.
Persons who have a fever, coughing, sneezing, or other signs of illness will not be admitted to a flu drive site. Residents who are experiencing symptoms of illness should check with their doctor.
The following dates have been scheduled for the Union County flu shot drive. Each event will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Participation is on a walk-up basis, first come first served:
- 1 – Elizabeth (Peterstown Community Center, 408 Palmer Street)
- 8 – Plainfield (Update: new address is Plainfield Cultural Arts Center, 724 Park Avenue)
- 15 – Hillside (Hillside Community Center, 274 Hillside Avenue)
- 22 – Roselle (Abraham Clark High School, 122 East 6th Street)
- 29 – Westfield (location to be determined)
- 5 – Summit (Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue)
- 12 – Linden (location to be determined)
- 19 – Rahway (Rahway Recreation Center, 275 East Milton Street)
For additional updates visit the “Upcoming Flu Drives” page on the County website, at ucnj.org.
Any Union County resident age four and up can visit any of the seasonal flu shot drive events and receive a free flu shot. Persons with health insurance are advised to visit their local pharmacy or doctor’s office.
Please note that the Union County flu shot drive is for seasonal flu vaccines only. There is no vaccine available for the COVID-19 virus at this time.
Union County residents are also reminded that the COVID-19 virus is far more deadly than seasonal flu, and it spreads more easily. Someone infected with the COVID-19 virus can spread it simply by talking, even if they show no visible signs of illness.
Because COVID-19 can be transmitted by infected people who do not have symptoms like coughing or sneezing, it is very important for everyone to wear a mask and observe social distance. All Union County residents and visitors are urged to continue maintaining every precaution to prevent COVID-19 during the fall season, especially when indoors.
In addition to wearing masks and observing social distance, effective precautions include washing hands frequently, avoiding sick people, and staying home when sick.
The Union County Flu Shot Drive is administered by the Union County Office of Health Management in the Department of Public Safety, the Visiting Nurse Association, and volunteers from the Union County Medical Reserve Corps. The Medical Reserve Corps accepts volunteers with a variety of skills both in and out of the medical profession.
For more information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and the free Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19.
For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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