County of Monmouth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 2, 2009
Health Dept.
phone  732-431-7456

County’s next H1N1 vaccine clinic is Nov. 6
Appointment only clinic for children, 
pregnant women and EMS providers

FREEHOLD TWP., NJ – The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) will hold an appointment only H1N1 influenza vaccine clinic for pregnant women and children on Friday, Nov. 6 at its main office at 3435 Highway 9 North. 

Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Appointments must be made in advance by calling the MCHD at 732-431-7456. An appointment must be made for each person interested in receiving the vaccine.

County residents encouraged to make an appointment for this vaccine clinic include:

  • pregnant women
  • people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
  • children 6 months through 4 years of age
  • children 5 through 24 years of age who have chronic medical conditions or a weakend immune system
  • emergency medical services personnel

The vaccine will be available at no charge either in an intranasal or an injectable form. Those who will receive the intranasal vaccine are:
healthy individuals age 2 through 24 with no chronic or acute illness

those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, are 49 years of age or less and who have no chronic or accute illness

Individuals who should receive the injectable vaccine are: 

  • woman who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • children younger than 24 months of age
  • those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, are 49 years of age or older
  • anyone receiving aspirin or aspirin containing therapy
  • anyone with an underlying illness or long term illness
  • anyone who has had an episode of wheezing in the last year


Individuals who may not receive the H1N1 or any influenza vaccine are: 

  • those with an allergy to eggs and egg proteins
  • anyone with a previous life threatening reaction to a flu vaccine
  • individuals with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome 

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. Additionally, children under the age of 10 will require two doses of the vaccine which should be given approximately one month apart.

“The MCHD continues to make the H1N1 vaccine available to people in the highest risk groups that are most susceptible to serious illness or death from the H1N1 influenza,” said Michael Meddis, county Public Health Coordinator. “As additional vaccine is produced and the county receives it, additional groups will be added.”

“Residents can do their part by letting people know about the H1N1 flu vaccine clinics and by using some good hygiene habits,” said Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, liaison to the Monmouth County Health Department. “You need to 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.”

“Regardless of the type of illness, the recommendations to reduce the spread of illness remain the same,” said Karen DeMarco, Monmouth County’s assistant public health coordinator.  “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 recommends that residents also get a seasonal influenza vaccine if they have not already done so. While the county and other local health departments completed their seasonal flu clinics last month, residents are encouraged to contact their health care provider.

The H1N1 influenza situation is being monitored by the MCHD staff who are 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.

Detailed information about the H1N1 flu is available from www.visitmonmouth.com that will provide you with links to the Health Department and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/) or you can call the county Health Department at 732-431-7456 or the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services at 866-321-3751.

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