Health Department Warns of 'Third Wave' of H1N1 Virus

The H1N1 virus might have not yet run its course is the message the Bernards Township Health Department is focusing on getting out to residents in the coming month.

The Health Department will hold free vaccination clinics each Wednesday in April starting April 7 for those who have not yet been inoculated against the virus.

"Usually with these types of pandemics there is a third wave," said Bernards Health Director Lucy Forgione, explaining that the there has been some recent H1N1 activity documented in NJ communities. Forgione noted that H1N1 started last year around this time, and could continue to affect people throughout the spring and summer months.

The Bernards Health Department has vaccinated 8,108 people against the virus to date, and plans to continue to spread the word about the benefits of immunization.

"I think we've done a really good job though of immunizing people because we have so much vaccination out there we're not finding as many cases as we would expect if people were not immunized against the h1n1 virus," Forgione said. "But we are seeing activity so we just want to make sure that if there are people are out there that have not been vaccinated this is a good time."

The clinics are open to anyone and are scheduled from 4 – 5:30 p.m. on April 7, 14, 21 and 28. The Health Department accepts walk-ins or appointments, which can be made by calling the Health Department at (908) 204-2520.

In addition to the clinics, the Health Department is also planning a couple of H1N1 related events. The department will host a H1N1 "Thank You" Luncheon at the Basking Ridge Country Club to review the vaccination efforts and thank the many volunteers involved in making them possible.

Forgione also said she received a small grant to continue inoculating NJ residents and plans to start a mobile "It's Not Too Late" campaign, taking vaccinations on the road to different communities.

"Even though flu activity declines, the H1N1 virus continues to circulate and people are getting sick," Forgione said. "We have the vaccine to prevent it or make the symptoms lessened, so why not inoculate people and take the first step to protect them against the flu."

The department expects to finalize plans for the campaign by the end of next week.