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Protect Yourself During Flu Season — Get Your 2021 Flu Shot for Free!

it's time to beat the flu flyerFree Flu shots available for Union County residents, starting Sept. 23 (update: please note location change for September 23 clinic)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners encourages all residents to get their seasonal flu shot as soon as possible this year. Free flu shots will be dispensed at clinics run by the Office of Health Management at locations throughout Union County beginning on Thursday, September 23. Persons with health insurance are advised to visit their local pharmacy or doctor’s office to receive their flu shot.

“Please protect yourself and your family, and help prevent unnecessary trips to a doctor or hospital emergency room, by getting a free flu shot,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Protection against seasonal flu is more important than ever before due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Public health experts are concerned that medical resources could be overwhelmed if a seasonal flu outbreak combines with the COVID-19 crisis.

The free flu shot clinics are open to all Union County adults and children ages nine and up.

Children ages four years through eight years can also use Union County’s free flu shot clinics if they have previously received two flu shots in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Appointments are strongly encouraged and residents can schedule their appointment online by visiting ucnj.org/flu or calling 908-613-7829.

Walk-ups will be seen on a time-allowing basis.

The following dates have been scheduled for the Union County flu shot drive. Each event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

  • 9/23 – LOCATION CHANGE: Please note, this flu clinic will be held at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center, 330 Helen Street, Linden.
  • 9/30 – Roselle,  High school –Abraham Clark High School, 122 E 6th, Roselle, NJ
  • 10/7 – Plainfield , Cedar Brook Park, Plainfield
  • 10/14 –  Summit City Hall, Whitman Room, 512 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ
  • 10/21 – Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, 314 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park, NJ
  • 10/28 – Hillside Community Center, 274 Hillside Avenue, Hillside, NJ
  • 11/4 –  Rahway Recreation Center, 275 E Milton Ave., Rahway, NJ
  • 11/18 – Chisholm Community Center, Springfield

Any Union County resident may visit any of these clinics, regardless of their town of residence.

To prepare for a visit to Union County’s flu shot clinics, residents are advised to review the fact sheet issued by the Centers for Disease Control in English, Spanish and other languages at https://www.immunize.org/vis/ (select “Influenza, inactivated” from the vaccine index).

Masks are required when visiting one of Union County’s free flu shot clinics, and temperatures will be taken when arriving.

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.

For additional updates visit the “Upcoming Flu Drives” page on the County website, at ucnj.org/flu.

Please note that the dates and locations listed above are for seasonal flu vaccines only.

Residents seeking free COVID-19 vaccines can find a list of sites run by Union County at ucnj.org/covid19/vaccinations-page to see a schedule for COVID-19 vaccination sites run by Union County.

Children and adults in need of a variety of standard immunizations can visit Union County’s Immunization Center at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth. Please note that there is no income eligibility requirement for the COVID-19 or seasonal flu vaccines. Other immunizations are available on an income-eligible basis. For more information call the Immunization Center at (908) 965-3627 or (908)965-3868.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through 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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