The Somerset County Health Department will hold seasonal flu shot clinics as follows:

• Rocky Hill Borough Hall, 15 Montgomery Ave.: Thursday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon.  Flu shots will be free for adult residents of Rocky Hill who are age 18 and over.  Nonresidents of Rocky Hill can take advantage of the flu shot clinic. The cost will be $25. Also, pneumonia vaccinations will be offered to residents for $50 and $77 for nonresidents. 

• Franklin Township Community Senior Center, 505 Demott Lane: Thursday, Oct. 10, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Flu shots will be free for residents of Franklin Township (Somerset County) who are age 65 and older. This clinic is not open to nonresidents of Franklin Township.

• Franklin Township Community Senior Center, 505 Demott Lane: Thursday, Oct. 24, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Flu shots will be free for residents of Franklin Township (Somerset County) who are age 65 and older.  This clinic is not open to nonresidents of Franklin Township.

• Manville Public Library, 100 S. 10th Ave.: Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon. Flu shots will be $5 for adult residents of Manville who are age 18 and over, $10 for non-Manville residents and free for people who have Medicare Part B.

• North Plainfield Community Center, 614 Greenbrook Road: Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to noon.  Flu shots will be $5 for adult residents of North Plainfield who are age 18 and over and $20 for non-North Plainfield residents.

For more information on influenza (flu) and additional clinics, visit the Somerset County Health Department website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/health/influenza.aspx . This site will be updated as more clinics are scheduled by the county health department.

It’s important to get a flu vaccine every year to protect against viruses that research suggests are most likely to circulate each season. Flu viruses are constantly changing; therefore, vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against viruses that may be most common during the upcoming flu season.  Also, for optimal protection, annual vaccination is recommended because immunity from the vaccine declines over time.

The flu is a contagious disease that affects the lungs and can lead to serious illness, including pneumonia. Even healthy people can get sick enough to miss work or school for a significant period of time, or be hospitalized.   

The flu vaccine is recommended for most people 6 months of age and older. Pregnant women, young children, older people, and people with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease are at increased risk of serious flu-related complications.  For this population, getting a yearly flu vaccine is especially important.

The flu vaccine cannot cause you to get the flu. 

For more information, contact Michele Samarya-Timm, health educator, at 908-231-7155 or by e-mail at samaryatimm@co.somerset.nj.us.