“Now that flu season has arrived, the best way to protect yourself, your family and your co-workers is to get a flu shot,” said Commissioner O’Dowd. “New Jersey’s flu season peaks in January or February so there is still plenty of time to get vaccinated. I want to thank all of our partners—health care providers, pharmacies, supermarkets, community churches and local and county health departments—for making flu shots available.’’

To find a nearby flu clinic, please visit the “Find a Flu Shot” locator on the Department’s website.

What is influenza (also called flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Signs and symptoms of flu

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (very tired)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How flu spreads

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.

An intradermal flu vaccine is new this year.

"Fluzone Intradermal®” was licensed by the FDA for use in the U.S. for the 2011-2012 flu season. The intradermal flu vaccine is a shot that is injected into the skin instead of the muscle. It uses a much smaller and very fine needle so it may be helpful for people who don't like needles.

It is for use in adults 18 through 64 years of age. It is provided in a single-use, preservative-free (without thimerosal) prefilled syringe.

For more information visit CDC's website: http://cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_intradermal-vaccine.htm

It's not just flu.

Even healthy adults and children can develop serious complications from the flu.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recommends that every person 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine when it becomes available.

To find a flu clinic near you www.flu.gov Flu Vaccine Fnder lists municipal health department clinics and other sources of flu vaccine, such as pharmacies.

The movie "Contagion" opens today, September 9, and fictionalizes the world's emergency response to a novel respiratory disease outbreak.

The film's writers talked with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) scientists as they developed the idea for the movie. CDC does not endorse or promote any commercial products. The premise of the film and some scenes are quite credible and the movie does demonstrate some of the public health response to a contagious disease.

Each day public health agencies, from CDC to your municipal health department protect the community in a variety of ways.

Saving Lives
CDC doctors, scientists, researchers and public health professionals work around the world to fight disease, confront disaster and prevent death from environmental hazards. Read more...

Protecting People
Responding to health threats, preventing chronic disease and injuries, helping communities recover fro disaster – it's all in a day′s work at CDC. Read more...

Saving Money Through Prevention
Safeguarding the health of Americans where they work live and play is the core of CDC′s mission. Being good stewards of America's public health investment is critical to that mission′s fulfillment. Read more...

This September is the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and as we take time to remember those lost, it is also a time to make sure you are prepared for future emergencies.

As we recover from Hurricane Irene and the record flooding, as we see on the news tornado outbreaks, wild fires, historic earthquakes, tsunamis and power outages, this September please take time to prepare and plan in the event you must go for three - five days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket, or local services for several days.

There are three basic steps to follow:

1. Get a Kit: Keep enough supplies on hand for you and those in your care, as well as your pets - water, flashlights, batteries, food.



2. Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. Work together with neighbors, colleagues and others to build community resilience.



3. Be informed: There are many resources to help prepare. http://www.morrishealth.org/ updates preparedness resources and links to many other government agencies. Follow us on www.twitter.com/morrishealth and www.twitter.com/MCUrgent for emergency information and updates.