|
TO THE PARENTS OF A CHILD
ENROLLED IN THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
The
purpose of this memo is to inform parents and guardians that due
to limited seasonal influenza vaccine availability, children 6
through 59 months who do not receive the vaccine by December 31,
2009 will not be excluded from licensed preschool and
child care for the 2009 – 2010 academic year.
This
temporary suspension is based on delays in vaccine production
with a resultant delay in delivery and supply shortage within
New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services (Department) received multiple inquiries from health
care providers, parents and guardians concerning
influenza vaccine, difficulties in locating seasonal vaccine,
and the requirement for seasonal influenza immunization of
children in licensed preschool and child care. Furthermore, the
CDC stated on November 9, 2009, that up to 114 million doses of
seasonal flu vaccine may be produced this year but did not know
the exact timetable for getting the doses. The Department will
not enforce the mandate since it cannot predict when the vaccine
will be available in New Jersey.
Influenza
is an infectious viral respiratory disease that causes illness
to persons of all ages each year. The major complication of
influenza
is pneumonia. Children less than two years of age are
hospitalized as often as adults 65 years of age and older.
Infants and preschool-aged children are thought to spread this
disease to other susceptible healthy people or people at
high-risk for complications from influenza. The Department
strongly recommends that all children 6 months through 59 months
of age attending any child-care center or preschool facility
receive at least one dose of influenza vaccine as soon as the
vaccine becomes available. The
Department believes that vaccinating preschool-aged children
will decrease the incidence of
influenza among
children and adults.
Earlier
this week, in collaboration with the federal government, Google
Inc. launched a flu shot finder to provide individuals with the
locations of clinics that offer vaccines. This site can be
accessed through the Department’s website at
http://nj.gov/health/flu/h1n1.shtml. It allows the public
to search by town, county and zip code to find flu shots at
locations such as major retail pharmacies and supermarkets. The
site also includes the public health clinics that have been
listed on the Department’s “Find a Flu Shot” button. The website
can also be accessed at
www.google.com/flushot.
The
Department is also recommending that individuals contact their
physician, community health center, local pharmacy, local or
county health department, hospital or school to check for
available seasonal vaccine. Many doctors, health clinics and
schools are providing vaccine to their patients and students,
while local health departments, pharmacies and some hospitals
are offering clinics to the public.
The Department continues to recommend
seasonal flu vaccine for all children age 6 months to 18 years
because children are vulnerable to flu-related complications,
including death.
|
