Free Flu Shots Available For Uninsured Cinnaminson Children

CINNAMINSON, NJ — As the country braces for an overlap between flu season and the coronavirus pandemic, children in Cinnaminson and the rest of Burlington County are eligible to receive free flu shots, officials announced.

The Burlington County Health Department has resumed its free child immunization clinics for uninsured children and those covered by New Jersey Family Care Plan A aged 5 to 18 years, Burlington County officials announced.

Anyone who is of Native American or Alaskan Native descent are automatically eligible to receive the vaccine. Clinics resumed on Tuesday, and will be held every Monday, 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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“While we do not have an FDA-approved vaccine for the novel coronavirus, we do have vaccines against seasonal flu and against several serious illnesses, including measles, hepatitis B, meningitis and polio. We can’t afford to ignore these diseases,” Burlington County Health Director Dr. Herb Conaway said. “The last thing we need is an outbreak of pandemic flu, the measles or some other preventable disease during ongoing COVID crisis. This winter potentially deadly pandemic flu will arrive with resurgent COVID-19. The twin viral dangers could cause tragic loss of life and overwhelm our state’s healthcare systems. We can prevent that outcome by getting vaccinated, masking up, washing hands and maintaining social distance. Let’s work together to stamp out COVID-19.”

As of Monday night, there were 323 cases of the coronavirus in Cinnaminson and 28 confirmed deaths, according to numbers provided by the Burlington County Health Department. Countywide, there are 8,108 cases, 479 confirmed deaths and 54 probable deaths.

Previously, Virtua Health said it was concerned about the possibility that their facilities could become overwhelmed if there is a spike in both flu and coronavirus cases. There is also a chance of one person contracting both diseases, which would likely result in a more severe illness. Read more here: Flu Shots More Important Than Ever Amid Pandemic, Virtua Says

Appointments are required to receive treatment in the Burlington County Health Department Vaccine Clinic. To make an appointment, visit the following links:

The flu immunizations are required for all children attending preschool or childcare centers or K-12 schools in New Jersey.

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

This article originally appeared on the Cinnaminson Patch