For Immediate Release:  November 9, 2009   ALL CLINICS FULL

H1N1 vaccine clinics are by appointment
Appointment only clinic for children 6 month to less than 3 years

FREEHOLD TWP., NJ – The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) has scheduled appointment only H1N1 influenza vaccine clinics for children age 6 months to 35 months on Tuesday, Nov. 17, Thursday, Nov. 19 and Monday, Nov. 23.  Appointments are available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Appointments must be made in advance by calling the MCHD at 732-431-7456. An appointment must be made for each child you are interested in receiving the vaccine. All of these clinics will be held at the Health Department’s main office at 3435 Highway 9 North. 

The vaccine at these clincis will be available at no charge and in an injectable form. Thimerisol-free vaccine is available.

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 

Children brought to the clinic will be screened by a registered nurse regarding risk factors and educated about the vaccine. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form for the vaccine. Additionally, children who receive the vaccine at these clinics will require two doses of the vaccine, which should be given approximately one month apart.

The county Health Dept. encourages residents to get an H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available.  The county has conducted clinics to vaccinate individuals in the highest H1N1 risk groups as defined by the CDC or the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. The high risk group currently includes 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 and emergency medical services personnel.

“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 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 866-321-9571.

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