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News & Information

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

Release Date: August 01, 2018
Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, pneumonia and certain types of cancer.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)
Is your child ready to start school?

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(Hardyston, NJ) Immunizations represent one of the greatest public health accomplishments of the 20th century. The purpose of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is to celebrate the benefits of vaccination and highlight its importance for people of all ages.

The Office of Public Health Nursing is joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month. NIAM is a reminder that we all need vaccines throughout our lives. Back to school season is here. It's time for parents to gather school supplies and backpacks. It's also the perfect time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines as they go back to school.

Public health nurses will be providing immunizations at two department clinics. Michele Verones, RN, BSN, will be vaccinating children at the Well Child Clinic on August 21, 2018. This clinic is for uninsured children ages two months though five years old. Public health nurses will be vaccinating school age children at the Health Check Clinic on August 22, 2018. Both clinics provide vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, at no cost to eligible children. Appointments are required.

"Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by CDC's immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children from serious diseases," said Ellen Phelps, RN, MSN, Director of the Office of Public Health Nursing. "If you haven't done so already, now is the time to check with your child's doctor or nurse to find out what vaccines your child needs." Don't wait until the first day of school to find out your child needs shots. Your child could be excluded from school until those shots are given.

Vaccines protect against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community; including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.

Talk to your child's doctor to find out which vaccines are recommended for them before going back to school. Additionally, New Jersey requires children who are entering child care, kindergarten, and 11 year old children entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated against certain diseases. Colleges and universities may have their own requirements, especially for students living in a dormitory. Parents should check with their child's doctor, nurse, school, or the Office of Public Health Nursing to learn about the immunization requirements in New Jersey.

The Sussex County Division of Health, Office of Public Health Nursing is located at 201 Wheatsworth Road, Hamburg, NJ 07419. The office can be reached at 973-579-0570 x 1211, or by visiting www.sussex.nj.us/health. Parents can also find out more about the recommended vaccines at www.cdc.gov/vaccines external link.

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A message from the
Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Health
Office of Public Health Nursing
www.sussex.nj.us/nursing
health@sussex.nj.us
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call: 973-579-0570 Fax: 973-579-0571
Mail: 201 Wheatsworth Road Hamburg, N.J. 07419
Visit: 201 Wheatsworth Road Hardyston Township Directions