Community Corner
Parsippany Prepares for Flu Season
Tips from a township public health official and places where you can find flu vaccine.
We’re about nine weeks away from Thanskgiving, 13 weeks away from Christmas, but only two weeks away from flu season.
Flu season officially runs from October through May, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The agency recommends that everyone older than 6-months of age get vaccinated. Since it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to achieve maximum levels of effectiveness, this is the perfect time to get your flu shot.
“People who are elderly and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk of contracting the flu," said Carmela Piccoti, Parsippany’s public health nurse supervisor. "Infants and small children are also a major at-risk group. The flu is a very serious illness, which can result in secondary complications, including the need for hospitalization.”
The CDC lists the symptoms of influenza as: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
If you experience any of these symptoms and have a fever, experts recommend that you spend some time in solitary for the first 24 hours--and call your doctor.
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The best advice is to avoid getting the flu in the first place.
The CDC suggests that you:
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- Thoroughly wash your hands.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze, then toss the tissue and wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- If you see someone hacking and sneezing, avoid that person (unless, it’s a family member, in which case it’s best to don a Hazmat suit and contact your doctor).
- Get a flu shot.
The CDC says this year’s flu vaccine protects against influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and 2009’s H1N1 virus.
Piccoti said flu shots will be available at the Community Center on Knoll Road.
“The Township of Parsippany offers the vaccine to seniors, as well as those under age 65 who present a doctor’s note specifying medical necessity,” she said.
The annual town flu clinic will be held Friday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m.-noon. If that date doesn’t work for you, there are plenty of alternatives. If you go to a grocery store or a pharmacy in Parsippany, there’s no excuse for avoiding the jab:
Location
Ages
Date/Time
Cost
Community Center (Twp. of Parsippany)
1130 Knoll Road
Parsippany
Parsippany resident seniors age 65 and older, as well as those who present a doctor's note
Oct. 21 9 a.m.-noon
(no appointment necessary)
$10 for the flu or $15 for the pneumonia vaccine
Free to Medicare Part B recipients
CVS
Pine Plaza
410 Rte 10
Whippany
Adults 18 and over
Preservative-free flu vaccine for pregnant women available.
24 hours a day
$29.99 (they will run insurance cards and charge appropriately for those covered).
Free to Medicare Part B recipients (with card)
Immediate Medical Care Center (IMCC)
200 Route 46 West
Parsippany
973-882-0444
Children (starting at 6 months of age) through adults.
M-F: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sun: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
$25
Humana insurance accepted.
Free to all Medicare Part B.
RiteAid
480 North Beverwyck Road
Lake Hiawatha
Adults 18 and over
M-F: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sa: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Su: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
$27.99 (they will run insurance cards and charge appropriately for those covered).
Free to Medicare Part B recipients (with card)
ShopRite
808 US Highway 46
Parsippany
Adults 18 and over
Beginning date TBD.
(After specified date TBD, come in during normal pharmacy hours & the pharmacist will provide vaccinations)
Regular Hours
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sat 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sun - 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
$30 (minus $10, if you have a PricePlus card; they will run insurance cards and charge appropriately for those covered).
Free to Medicare Part B (with card)
Stop & Shop
245 Littleton Road
Morris Plains
Adults 18 and over.
Preservative-free flu vaccine for pregnant women available beginning Monday, September 26.
Call ahead to make an appointment (973) 683-0100, Option 8.
$25 (they will run insurance cards and charge appropriately for those covered).
Free to Medicare Part B recipients (with card)
Walgreens
1470 US Hwy 46
Parsippany
Adults 18 and over.
Preservative-free flu vaccine for pregnant women available.
M-F: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sun: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
(no appointment necessary)
$31.99 (they will run insurance cards and charge appropriately for those covered)
Free to Medicare Part B recipients (with card)
Walmart
300 Wooton St.
Boonton
Children (starting from age 4) and adults
Preservative-free flu vaccine for pregnant women available.
M-Sa: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sun: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
$25 (they will run insurance cards and charge appropriately for those covered)
Free to Medicare Part B recipients (with card).
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