·          State H1N1 Call Center - 1-866-321-9571 – New Jersey is operating a toll-free public information hotline on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The information line number is 1-866-321-9571.  Call center operators will be able to provide general information about H1N1, vaccine safety and availability information, symptoms of H1N1 and flu preventive measures.

 

·          H1N1 Vaccine is Safe – All vaccines, including the H1N1 vaccine, are held to the highest standard of safety and are continually monitored.  Each year, millions of Americans safely receive seasonal flu vaccines.  The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way as seasonal flu vaccine by the same companies that make seasonal flu vaccine.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) has conducted clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine.  The vaccine has been tested and safely used in children, pregnant woman, and adults.

 

·          State H1N1 Resource Center / Flu Shot Locator – The most up-to-date H1N1 influenza information can be found at: www.nj.gov/health/flu/h1n1.  This website includes links on where to find seasonal flu shots.  When the H1N1 vaccine is more widely available, this website will also have a search engine to find where you can get your H1N1 vaccine. 

 

·         H1N1 Vaccine will Arrive in Stages Over a Three-Month Period – Shipments of the H1N1 vaccine will continue to arrive throughout this month and into November and December.  Vaccine availability will be very limited at first and will increase over time. 

 

·         What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

o Stay informed, and take everyday actions to stay healthy.

o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

o Stay home if you are sick.

 

·          Symptoms of H1N1 – The symptoms of H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

 

H1N1 Resources for Parents

 

The Centers for Disease Control have posted “Seasonal and H1N1 2009 Flu: A Guide for Parents, “ on their website at: Flyer: Seasonal and Novel H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents.

 

Additional resources can be found on the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources

 

 

 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD & SWINE FLU & SEASONAL FLU SYMPTOMS

 

 

Franklin Township’s H1N1 (swine flu) Walk through Flu Shot Clinic will be held on Wednesday December 9th, 2009 from 4:30 – 7:30 pm. The clinic will be held at the Franklin Middle School located at 415 Francis Street in Somerset.

 

The Somerset County Department of Health will be running the H1N1 Walk through Flu Shot clinic which will be for persons age 4 and older who are in one of the five priority groups established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   

 

These priority groups, based on those most likely to be affected by H1N1 are:

  • Pregnant women
  • Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
  • Health-care and emergency medical services personnel
  • All people age 4 years through 24 years of age
  • Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

 

To schedule an appointment, visit the H1N1 clinic link on Somerset County Health Department’s website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.   Once the appointment scheduler is launched on the website, access is open to all New Jersey residents, and spots are expected to fill up very quickly -- so please schedule an appointment promptly.   Only those in the priority groups may receive vaccination, and walk-ins will be served only if there is extra vaccine available. 

 

 

For more H1N1 information, and the link to schedule vaccination appointments, please visit Somerset County Health Department’s website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/health

 

Free Flu Vaccinations

 

North Plainfield

 

Franklin

 

Bedminster