H1N1 Influenza Update

Oct 8, 2009
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Limited H1N1 nasal mist vaccine arrives in New Jersey.  A small number of local health departments and health care providers received initial shipments of nasal spray H1N1 flu vaccine this week.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved nasal mist for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 who are not pregnant.

The vaccine will arrive in stages over a three month period.  Vaccine availability will be very limited at first and will increase over time.  The injectable H1N1 vaccine is expected to begin arriving in the state over the next few weeks.

N.J. Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDHSS) opens a toll-free public hotline.

9:00-5:00 Monday through Friday

1-866-321-9571

New Jersey was awarded $16 million from the federal government to strengthen the State’s pandemic influenza planning initiatives by helping state and local health agencies and health care facilities with vaccination, surge capacity and continuity of operations.

For consumers to find locations in Essex County where vaccinations are available, visit the following New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDHSS) link:  http://web.doh.state.nj.us/apps2/flu/fluschedules.aspx

For further information on the “flu shot” (2009 H1N1 Inactivated Influenza Vaccine) visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention link:  http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf

Stay informed on H1N1 and seasonal flu information by visiting the NJDHSS website at http://www.nj.gov/health/