MADISON ‑ The Madison Health Department
reported it had administered more than 5,500 H1N1 influenza vaccinations since
the vaccine became available last October.
Since H1N1 flu cases have declined,
department officials said, and vaccine has been available to residents of the
area through a number of clinic opportunities, the health department has
suspended scheduling H1N1 clinics.
Persons who still wish to be
immunized may contact the health department nurses directly. The department
observed it has ample supplies of vaccine in stock.
In addition to Madison, the Madison
Health Department serves the residents of Chatham Borough, Chatham Township,
Morris Plains, Butler and Victory Gardens.
Contact Nurses
Pregnant women, children just turning
six months old, children younger than 10 who received only one dose of the
vaccine, and others who have not been immunized and now wish to be, may call
the nurses at the Madison Health Department at (973) 593-3079, ext. 6 or 9.
Callers are asked to leave a message
and contact information on voice mail if the nurses are out; their calls will
be returned. The dedicated email service to the department has been suspended.
According to the Madison Health
Department, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remind those
who are unsure whether they should be immunized that influenza is an
unpredictable disease. Though flu activity is currently very low, it is
possible that other waves of H1N1 influenza may occur. Now that there is a
sufficient supply of vaccine, there is a “window of opportunity” in which
people can be vaccinated against the flu before any possible new wave of the
disease, health officials noted.
The Madison Health Department added
it extends grateful appreciation to all the volunteers who have helped
immunize the more than 5,500 people to date. Many volunteers have worked
multiple clinics to assist the department in providing the immunizations.
The Madison Health Department
maintains a “flu line” at (973) 593-3079, ext. 7, for updated information on
the disease and vaccination availability.