New H1N1 Clinics Open to All Members of the Public

Bernards Township will begin to hold H1N1 vaccination clinics again in January, which will be open to all members of the public for the first time.

"The priority groups are no longer necessary," Township Committee member John Malay said at the Dec. 29 Township Committee meeting. "[The clinics] going to be open now to all members of the public."

Limited quantities of the vaccine had previously required the town to focus on priority groups and high-risk patients.

The Bernards Township Health Department administered 15 total clinics in November and December, vaccinating 6,700 children and adults against the H1N1 flu, according to the health department's Web site.

Bernards will begin offering H1N1 clinics the week of Jan. 11, and more information will be posted on the Health Department's Web site after Jan. 4.

Vaccinations for H1N1 are administered by injection, or by nasal spray with Flumist – only available to anyone 2 - 49 years of age without chronic medical conditions. No recalled vaccine was used in any of Bernards Township clinics, according the Health Department Web site.

Appointments can also be scheduled by going to www.greatersomersetH1N1.org or calling (908) 533 - 9330 to reach the Greater Somerset County "Shotline." The service is provided by the Greater Somerset County Public Health Partnership, a joint effort of Somerset County health departments.