Roll Up Your Sleeves and Roll Down Your Windows

Online, October 14, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Southern Ocean County residents will soon be driving once again into the Magic Car Wash in Manahawkin - but not for their car, for their health. It just takes rolling up one's sleeve and rolling down the car window to take advantage of Southern Ocean County Hospital's Drive Thru Flu and Pneumonia Shot program. The hospital holds the Drive Thru Flu program annually in conjunction with the Ocean County Health Department and Magic Car Wash. This year's event will take place Thursday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m. through noon at the Magic Wash Car Wash on Millcreek Road, Manahawkin.

"The purpose of this event is to provide a fast, convenient, safe method for people to receive these important shots," said Carol Schoenberger, RN, BSN, CDE, Meridian clinical program manager. "This venue especially helps our older patients who may have difficulty getting around and getting in and out of cars."

The cost of the flu and pneumonia shots are covered by Medicare B. Participants should bring their Medicare cards. Non-Medicare patients, including those belonging to an HMO, can receive the flu or pneumonia shot for $20 each. Those who are under 65 and wish to have a pneumonia shot must provide a note from their physician. Shots cannot be provided to anyone less than nine years of age.

Symptoms of the flu include sudden headache, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, aching muscles, fatigue and a high fever. Contrary to popular belief, stomach ailments-like nausea and vomiting-are uncommon.

Flu season in this country generally runs from November through March. The best time to get a flu shot is October or November. But even December or later is not too late, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About Southern Ocean Medical Center
Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin is a member of the Meridian Health family, which includes Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and most recently, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel.
Southern Ocean Medical Center is home to a wide range of clinical services and programs specializing in cardiovascular and stroke care, maternity and women's health, orthopedics and joint health, bariatric surgery, and wellness and prevention programs.

Part of Meridian Cancer Care, Southern Ocean Medical Center provides comprehensive cancer services, including radiation oncology, surgery, and clinical trials, and is connected to specialized programs and services throughout Meridian Health.
For more information, visit www.SouthernOceanMedicalCenter.com.