Sneeze Rates Are Spiking! Where to Get Flu Shots in East Brunswick

Flu season is here, and reports of people getting in the flu in New York City are spikine. But it's not as bad as last year. This time last year, flu cases were spiking much higher than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. 

If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in East Brunswick that offer the vaccine:

• MinuteClinic CVS, 330 Rues Ln, E Brunswick, NJ 08816 
   866-389-2727     Directions     Website
  Hours: Mo:830a-730p, Tu:830a-730p, We:830a-730p, Th:830a-730p, Fr:830a-730p, Sa:9a-530p, Su:9a-430p
  Vaccines: Tdap, Td, Pneumococcal, MMR, Meningococcal, HPV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Intradermal Flu Shot, High-Dose Flu Shot, Trivalent Flu Shot
• Walgreens, 421 Ryders Ln., East Brunswick, NJ 08816-2700 
   732-254-6609     Directions     Website
  Hours: Open 24 hours
  Vaccines: Varicella, Tdap, Td, Shingles/zoster, Pneumococcal, MMR, Meningococcal, HPV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Cell Based Flu Shot, Flu Nasal Spray, High-Dose Flu Shot, Quadrivalent Flu Shot, Trivalent Flu Shot
• Target- Milltown, 400 Ryders Lane, Milltown, NJ 08850 
   732-613-3962     Directions     Website
  Hours: New Standard 9am-7pm Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat 11am-5pm Sun
  Vaccines: Tdap ($64), Td ($55), Pneumococcal ($75), Cell Based Flu Shot ($28), Flu Nasal Spray ($35), Intradermal Flu Shot ($28), High-Dose Flu Shot ($50), Trivalent Flu Shot ($28)
• Passport Health East Brunswick, 180 Tices Lane Bldg. A, Suite 103, East Brunswick 732-345-0029     Directions     Website
  Hours: Call today to schedule an appointment
  Vaccines: Trivalent Flu Shot, Flu Nasal Spray, High-Dose Flu Shot, Intradermal Flu Shot, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, Meningococcal, MMR, Pneumococcal, Shingles/zoster, Td, Tdap, Varicella

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• 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.

Most people who get influenza will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections are examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may experience worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems related to flu can happen at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children.

Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including:

• what flu viruses are spreading,
• how much flu vaccine is available,
• when vaccine is available,
• how many people get vaccinated, and
• how well the flu vaccine is matched to flu viruses that are causing illness.

• Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, and disposing of the tissue immediately in a proper trash receptacle
• Refraining from touching the eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs
• Washing the hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Using an alcohol-based hand rub when soap and water are not immediately available
• Stay home if you are getting ill

Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)