HOWELL, NJ – The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) will begin vaccinating pregnant women and children against the H1N1 influenza virus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 at Adelphia School, 495 Adelphia Road.
An H1N1 vaccine clinic for emergency responders will be held today at Middletown South High School from 4 to 7 p.m. The first clinic for emergency medical services personnel was held in Howell this past weekend.
“The county Health Department is coordinating the dissemination of the H1N1 vaccine for the entire county,” stated Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow. “We are beginning by vaccinating our youngest residents, pregnant women and emergency responders.”
County residents encouraged to attend this vaccine clinic include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, emergency medical services personnel, children 6 months through 4 years of age and children 5 through 24 years of age who have chronic medical conditions or a weakend immune system. Children under the age of 10 will require two doses of the vaccine which should be given approximately one month apart.
The vaccine will be available at no charge either in an intranasal or an injectable form. The intranasal vaccine, or Nasal Flu Mist, is a weakened live virus vaccine that is sprayed into the nostrils rather than injected into the muscle. Those who should receive the intranasal vaccine are healthy individuals with no chronic or acute illness, age 2 through 24 and those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
Individuals who should not receive the intranasal vaccine are pregnant woman, anyone in close contact with a person with a weakened immune system and anyone with a chronic medical condition or a weakened immune system. These individuals should receive the injectable form.
Residents who attend the clinic will be screened by a registered nurse regarding risk factors and educated about the vaccine. Any child under 18 years must have a parent or guardian sign a consent form for either vaccine.
“Due to the limited amount of vaccine we have received, the MCHD is beginning its vaccine distribution based on the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for groups at the highest risk of serious illness or death from the H1N1 influenza,” said Michael Meddis, county Public Health Coordinator. “As additional vaccine is produced and we receive it, additional groups will be added. Eventually anyone wishing to be vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza virus will be vaccinated.”
If quantities of the vaccine remain after the clinic, MCHD anticipates beginning distribution to private medical providers.
“The staff is gearing up to begin its clinics beginning this weekend,” said Amy A. Mallett, liaison to the Monmouth County Health Department. “We received the county’s first shipment of H1N1 vaccine and are communicating with health care providers to make sure those who want to receive the vaccine know where and when it will be available. In the meantime, people should still consider being vaccinated against the seasonal flu if they haven’t already done so.”
The county’s last seasonal flu clinic is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 21 at the Bradley Beach SeniorCenter at 719 Main Street in Bradley Beach. Individuals living in towns covered by the county’s Health Department can get a flu shot at this county clinic. The cost is $20.00. For additional information visit the county Web site at
www.visitmonmouth.com or call 732-431-7456.
“County residents can help reduce the spread of the H1N1 flu by staying informed and using some good hygiene habits,” said Karen DeMarco, Monmouth County’s assistant public health coordinator. “You need to be sure that you wash your hands thoroughly to protect yourself from germs and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available and you are using a hand sanitizer, be sure it is at least 60 percent alcohol.”
DeMarco and Charlotte Scalafani, a public health nurse, demonstrate proper hand washing, the use of hand sanitizers and more in an informational video posted on the county Web site at
www.visitmonmouth.com.
“Regardless of the type of illness, the recommendations to reduce the spread of illness remain the same,” DeMarco said. “Those who are ill should not attend school, work or go into the community for at least seven days, even if the flu symptoms resolve sooner. You should also avoid close contact with people who are sick.”
The MCHD continues to closely monitor the H1N1 influenza situation by working with schools, hospitals and other health care providers as they continue their flu surveillance. Flu symptoms generally include cough, sore throat, fever, headache, muscle pain, chills and fatigue.