West Orange, NJ – December 16, 2025 — In anticipation of flu season, RWJBarnabas Health offered 37 free flu shot clinics across the state and are urging people to stay vigilant as hospital emergency departments experience increases in cases of influenza-A and other respiratory illnesses, including RSV and COVID-19. Cases typically spike during the holiday and winter seasons, when more people gather and spend time indoors.RWJBarnabas Health has successfully administered nearly 1,600 free flu vaccines at a series of clinics it has held at health fairs, schools, community centers, senior centers, and houses of worship across Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Morris counties.“Although flu season comes around every year, it’s important to remember how it can impact our most vulnerable residents and take this opportunity to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community by getting vaccinated and reducing the risk,” said Andy Anderson, MD, Chief Medical and Quality Officer, RWJBarnabas Health.
Josephine Maramba, RN, BSN, CPN, Pediatric Nephrology RN Coordinator, Children’s Kidney Center, and Belkis Ramirez, RN, BSN, Community Nurse, Cooperman Barbabas Medical Center, with Dakota of East Orange after her flu vaccination.“If you’re experiencing severe symptoms from the flu or other respiratory illnesses, our nurses, physicians, and hospital emergency departments are there to provide the high-quality care our patients need.”“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2024-2025 influenza season was the first ‘high-severity season’ since 2017-2018, for people of all ages in terms of outpatient medical visits, hospitalizations and death. We are doing our part to decrease the spread and severity of influenza this upcoming flu season,” said Margie Heller, Senior Vice President, Community Health and Global Strategic Partnerships, RWJBarnabas Health. “Flu doesn’t discriminate – even healthy kids and adults can get seriously ill. That’s why prevention is so important.”ERs in the tri-state area have seen recent increases in admissions for respiratory illness infections, with seniors 65 and older and young children under four at high risk for hospitalization.Influenza, or the flu, is a virus that spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets emitted when coughing, sneezing, or talking. Very young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and older adults are the most susceptible to the virus. If left untreated, it can lead to serious illnesses, hospitalizations and death.For more information on upcoming community health initiatives and vaccination events, visit rwjbh.org.
Janae of East Orange was all smiles after her flu vaccination at East Orange Early Childhood Center.ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians providing care at more than 700 patient care locations. RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable. RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
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