County’s H1N1 Vaccine Distribution Continues

Written by MC Public Information Office Tuesday, 27 October 2009 18:06

Newsbrief - Monmouth County

Clinic for children, pregnant women and EMS providers

HAZLET, NJ – The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) will continue to vaccinate pregnant women and children against the H1N1 influenza virus from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday,    Oct. 31 at Raritan High School, 419 Middle Road.

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
• 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. 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 age 2 through 24 with no chronic or acute illness those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age

Individuals who should receive the injectable vaccine are:  woman who are pregnant or breastfeeding children younger than 24 months of age adults older than 49 years of age those with an allergy to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin, latex or arginine anyone with a previous life threatening reaction to a flu vaccine 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 with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

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

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.

“The MCHD will carry on with its vaccine distribution based on the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Department of Health and Senior Services 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 the county receives it, additional groups will be added. Eventually anyone wishing to be vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza virus will be vaccinated.”

An H1N1 vaccine clinic was also held last weekend for this high risk group and for emergency medical responders.

“The county Health Department is continuing to coordinating the dissemination of the H1N1 vaccine for the entire county,” said Freeholder Amy A. Mallett, liaison to the Monmouth County Health Department. “We are continuing with the vaccines for our youngest residents, pregnant women and emergency responders. In the meantime, people should still consider being vaccinated against the seasonal flu if they haven’t already done so.”

The county has completed is seasonal flu clinics that began in September. Anyone interested in being vaccinated against the seasonal flu should contact their health care provider.

“County residents can help reduce the spread of the seasonal and H1N1 influenzas 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.”

“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.

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.