H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Dates Announced

The Bernards Township Health Department distributed a press release today, providing details for three vaccination clinics to be held by the department.

Lucy A. Forgione, Bernards Township Health Officer, said in the release, "With an established vaccine supply of four to give months of flu season ahead of us, we would like to emphasize that now is a critical moment in our H1N1 response."

The first clinic is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11 at Ridge High School. Two subsequent vaccination opportunities will follow: Tuesday, Jan. 19 at West Morris Mendham High School in Mendham and Monday, Jan. 25 at Ridge High School. Each clinic will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

As previously reported by Basking Ridge Patch, all of the clinics will be open to the general public with no age or health condition restrictions.

To make an appointment for one of the clinics, members of the public can go to www.greatersomerseth1n1.org or call (908) 533-9330 for the Grater Somerset Public Health Partnership "Shotline." The press release stated, "Walk-ins will be served only if there is extra available vaccine."

Updates on the clinics, including weather-related cancellation notices will be posted on the Bernards Township Health Department Web site, www.bernardshealth.org.

Forgione said in the release, "The H1N1 virus is still widespread in New Jersey. ... While the [virus] has been less prevalent in the news, the flu season typically lasts through May and it is likely that we will see a surge of H1N1 flu again in the coming months."

"Now is our opportunity to prepare the general population for the next potential surge of H1N1 flu," Forgione said.

While no restrictions will be made at the clinics for patients who do not fit high-risk profiles, the New Jersey Department of Health lists the following as priority groups to receive the vaccine: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, all people from 6 months through 24 years of age and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

The Bernards Township Health Department stated more clinics might be held in 2010 depending on the demand.