35° and Clear
NJDOH Reminds Residents to Stay Up to Date on Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines
In recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week, observed December 1-5 this year, and as respiratory virus season is underway, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is reminding residents to stay up to date on their annual flu vaccination as well as the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination and RSV shot, if eligible.
Staying up to date with your vaccinations is the best way to prevent serious illness, protect your community, and stay safe this respiratory virus season. NJDOH recommends that everyone six months and older should get an annual flu vaccination, especially those at high-risk for severe complications from the flu, including young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions (asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people 65 years and older.
“Getting your annual flu vaccine is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious illness and to stay healthy this respiratory virus season,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “Vaccines reduce hospitalizations and are especially important for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with chronic health conditions. I encourage everyone to make getting vaccinated a priority this season to protect your own health as well as those around you.”
Influenza, in particular, disproportionately affects New Jerseyans in the fall and winter months. Past data have shown an increasing trend in the number of positive tests, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits related to Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV during respiratory virus season in New Jersey. In the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, the peak percentage of positive influenza tests (41%) was higher than the percentage of positive COVID-19 (18%) and RSV (13%) tests. Despite this, many children and adults remain unvaccinated against the flu.
Flu shots are available throughout the respiratory virus season at many locations, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, health care provider offices, pharmacies, and grocery stores with pharmacies.
The Department has also recently partnered with leading health systems and community partners across the state to enhance availability and access to COVID-19 and flu vaccines for those who want to receive them, especially for children. Upcoming clinics will be held at:
Cooper Pediatric Care at Sheridan Pavilion (COVID-19 shots available)
Suite 200, Sheridan Pavilion, Camden, NJ
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Link to schedule: resources.cooperhealth.org/pediatric-covid-vaccinations
Hackensack University Medical Center (COVID-19 and flu shots available)
155 Polifly Road, Suite 102, Hackensack, NJ
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Link to schedule: hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/covid19
Cooper Primary Care at Kroc (COVID-19 shots available)
Kroc Center, 1865 Harrison Avenue, Building C, Suite 1300, Camden, NJ
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Link to schedule: resources.cooperhealth.org/pediatric-covid-vaccinations
NJDOH offers no-cost vaccines to eligible residents through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program and the 317-Funded Adult Program. The NJ VFC program provides vaccines for children 18 years or younger who meet one of the following criteria: uninsured; underinsured; Medicaid-eligible; American Indian or Alaska Native. The 317-Funded Adult Program provides vaccines for adults 19 years or older who are uninsured or underinsured. NJDOH has a VFC and 317-Funded Vaccine provider list; however, it is important to call ahead to confirm availability and eligibility.
NJDOH supports several community initiatives to promote flu vaccination and prevention of severe illness from influenza such as the NJ Influenza Honor Roll and the NJ College & University Flu Challenge. The NJ Influenza Honor Roll is an initiative to recognize institutions striving to promote influenza awareness and prevention within their communities. Eligible institutions are encouraged to submit applications detailing influenza-related activities implemented during the flu season. The NJ College & University Flu Challenge is an initiative that teams NJDOH with higher educational institutions in the State to improve flu vaccination rates among students. The challenge encourages friendly competition between institutions to determine which campus can achieve the highest flu vaccination rates.
Other trust public health organizations observing this year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week and posting tools that health care providers and public health communicators can use to recommend flu vaccination include:
· National Foundation for Infectious Diseases: : It’s Not Too Late highlights that it’s not too late to get vaccinated this season, raising awareness about the importance of flu prevention and treatment. NFID also offers From Wild to Mild: The Power of Flu Vaccination campaign, which promotes annual influenza vaccination to reduce the severity of influenza. It offers downloadable, co-brandable graphics and animations in English and Spanish.
· Public Health Communications Collaborative: Communicating About Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination in 2025-26 provides updated key messages, best practices, and audience-tailored guidance to support communications about the flu vaccine.
NJDOH encourages everyone to remain vigilant and prioritize health this respiratory virus season by being proactive and vaccinating against common respiratory illnesses.
