Free H1N1 Swine Flu Virus Immunizations

A new influenza virus, called the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, was identified in the United States last spring. The virus has caused illness ranging from mild to severe, including hospitalizations and deaths in adults and children. Many children have been infected by the 2009 H1N1 virus and some Daycares Centers in the United States have had large outbreaks.

In order to limit the spread of the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adults aged 6 months through 24 years be vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 virus. Other groups recommended to get the first available doses of the vaccine include:

v       Pregnant women

v       People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age

v       Health care and emergency medical service workers

v       People ages 25 through 64 years who have certain health conditions such as HIV, diabetes, hepatic, neuromuscular, metabolic disorders, or heart or lung disease (asthma or COPD)

Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from this potentially serious virus. A clinic will be conducted with the Hoboken Health Department in conjunction with qualified healthcare providers at the Hoboken University Medical Center. Vaccinations will be provided free of Charge.    The clinic will take place:

When:

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Location:

Assumption Hall (3rd Street Entrance)

Hoboken University Medical Center

308 Willow Ave.

Hoboken, NJ 07030

Time:

9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

¯ Children under 18 years of age will not be vaccinated without the presence of a parent/ guardian

¯Supply is limited- vaccine will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

¯Please Do Not come if you are sick

The type of vaccine provided will be the Injectable H1N1, prepared from pieces of dead H1N1 viruses that, once injected, will trigger the immune system to create antibodies to attack the H1N1 virus. It is approved for use among persons 6 months of age and older, including those who have chronic medical conditions and pregnant females at any stage of pregnancy. Please note that children 9 years of age and under will require a second dose of vaccine 21 to 28 days later. Consent Forms and Vaccine Information Statements will be available at the City of Hoboken Website beginning next week. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Lynette Medeiros at the Hoboken Health Department at (201) 420- 2375 between the hours of 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.  or log on to the City of Hoboken website at http://hobokennj.org/docs/health/H1N1clinic1.pdf .Our number one priority is to protect the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of Hoboken.

Lynette Medeiros

Registered Environmental Health Specialist, CPO

Hoboken Health Department

124 Grand Street

Hoboken, NJ 07030

LMedeiros@HobokenNJ.org

Phone: (201) 420-2358 or 2375

Fax: (201) 420-7862