Fast Track Flu Shots In Gloucester Twp. Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Anthony Bellano
Updated ·5 min read

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Patient First has launched a flu shot program for anyone who wants to get a flu shot without being seen by a doctor amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza sickens millions of people in the United States every year. The very young, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are the most vulnerable. When combined with the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, the CDC says it is more important than ever to get a flu shot.

Patient First offers flu shots from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day through its Fast Track Flu Shot program. With Fast Track Flu Shots, patients can walk into any Patient First urgent care center without an appointment, undergo a shortened registration process, receive a vaccination, and be on their way without seeing a doctor. There is a Patient First office at 606 Berlin-Cross Keys Road.

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The program is being offered in addition to three drive-thru flu shot clinics being offered by the county in Gloucester Township, on Oct. 13 and 27, and Nov. 17. Read more here: 3 Drive-Thru Shot Clinics Set For Gloucester Township

Patient First offers two types of flu shots: seasonal flu shots and high-dose flu shots. Seasonal flu shots offer protection against four types of influenza viruses, and are available to patients ages 3 and older. High-dose flu shots are available to patients aged 65 and older, and offer protection against the same four strains as the seasonal shots.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for flu shots with most insurances. Self-pay cost for the seasonal flu shot is $35, and $65 for the high-dose flu shot. The CDC recommends that people be vaccinated early in the fall, before flu season begins in their community, and ideally no later than the end of October. Read more here: Flu Shots More Important Than Ever Amid Pandemic, Virtua Says

A flu shot will not protect patients from the coronavirus, but it will decrease the risk of having both the flu and the coronavirus at the same time. A flu shot is one more way to keep residents healthy during this pandemic, along with social distancing, thoroughly washing your hands and wearing face masks, Patient First said.

As of Tuesday, there were 1,017 cases of the coronavirus in Gloucester Township with 59 confirmed deaths, according to Camden County officials. Two new cases were reported on Tuesday. Those involved two women, one in her 60s and one in her 40s.

Camden County has 10,230 cases and 569 confirmed deaths, and is one of seven counties in which some key metrics in the coronavirus crisis have risen, according to a recent report. Read more here: 7 NJ Counties Backslide In Coronavirus Crisis: Here's Where

“We are experiencing slow but steady spread of this virus in our community. This is a marked improvement from where we were in April, but this pandemic still poses a significant risk to our community,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “Our seven-day average of new cases has crept above 30 for the first time in nearly a month, likely due to relaxed precautions during the Labor Day holiday. If we are going to stop the spread of coronavirus and protect our circles, we cannot afford to take days off from wearing masks and social distancing. We all have a responsibility to keep our friends and neighbors safe.”

The flu and the coronavirus share similar symptoms. Common symptoms include:

  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue (tiredness)

  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle pain or body aches

  • Headache

There are also differences. The differences include:

  • New loss of taste or smell has been associated with COVID-19 but not the flu.

  • The flu is more likely to appear with a sudden onset of illness, high fever, headache and body aches. Flu symptoms appear 1 to 4 days after infection.

  • COVID-19 symptoms may appear with a more gradual onset of illness, mild headache, body aches, and mild or no fever. COVID-19 symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after infection.

The CDC urges everyone over 6 months of age be vaccinated against the flu. This includes pregnant women. These additional tips from Patient First can help you avoid the flu:

  • Wash Your Hands — This is the single most important way to stop the spread of flu and colds. According to the CDC, about 80% of infectious diseases spread through touch alone. Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is a good substitute if soap and water are not available.

  • Cover-Up When You Sneeze and Cough — Many of us were taught to cover our mouths and noses with our hands when sneezing and coughing. A better option is to use the crook of your elbow or a tissue when available. This way the germs will not get onto your hands and spread through contact with others.

  • Disinfect — Flu and cold germs can live on surfaces for hours. Disinfecting items like remote controls, doorknobs, tabletops, keyboards, phones, and toys can kill germs and stop them from spreading.

  • Do Not Share Your Germs — Take steps to stop the spread of flu and colds at home and work. Stay home from work when you know you are sick. The same goes for sending sick children to school. Keep them home. If you have the flu, be sure to stay home until you have been fever-free without medicine for at least 24 hours to avoid making others sick.

  • Live Healthy — Help yourself win the battle by eating healthy, getting a good night sleep, exercising, and reducing stress. These things can help strengthen your immune system and potentially make your body more capable of fighting a cold or virus.

Patient First said it has taken extensive steps, based on CDC guidelines, to provide a safe environment for all patients.

See related: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

This article originally appeared on the Gloucester Township Patch