H1N1
UPDATES from the Livingston Health Department - Second
Update
H1N1
Vaccine to be Available to Limited Populations
Injectable H1N1 Vaccine Available for Pregnant Women and
Caregivers of Infants six months of age and younger
The
Livingston Health Department has limited amounts of H1N1 injectable
vaccine available. We will be hosting clinics for pregnant
women and parents and caregivers of infants aged 6 months
and younger. It is suggested that you bring a doctor's note
with you.
This
H1N1 vaccination campaign is ongoing and we will be providing
additional clinics once we receive further shipments of vaccine.
The
H1N1 vaccine that we will be administering contains thimerosal,
a mercury-based preservative. Thimerosal is an important preservative
that protects vaccines against potential microbial contamination,
which may occur in opened multi-dose vials of vaccine. Three
leading federal agencies (CDC, FDA, and NIH) have reviewed
the published research on thimerosal and found it to be a
safe product to use in vaccines. Three independent organizations
- The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine,
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - reviewed the published
research and also found thimerosal to be a safe product to
use in vaccines. The scientific community supports the use
of thimerosal in influenza vaccines.
it
is our hope to receive thimerosol-free vaccine in the coming
weeks; however we can’t be certain if and when it will
be shipped to us. If you have concerns regarding thimersol,
please contact your doctor or visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/thimerosal_qa.htm.
For
questions regarding the vaccine and/or H1N1 flu, please contact
the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services hotline,
available 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 1-866-321-9571.
