Health Department Ready for Tonight's H1N1 Clinic

Scotch Plains residents still hoping to get the H1N1 vaccine will have their chance this afternoon.

The health department is sponsoring its second health clinic in the township from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech Schools, located at 1776 Raritan Road.

Susan Higgins, a nurse with the health department, told Patch Monday morning that there is no limit to the number of doses that will be available.

"We have enough to do a clinic," she said.

Higgins said turnout at a clinic in Rahway on Saturday was light, so it's hard for the health department to predict how many residents will show up at the clinic in Scotch Plains today. Another factor, she said, are people from other towns who show up to be vaccinated because clinics haven't been offered in their area.

At the first H1N1 clinic in Scotch Plains on Nov. 8, thousands showed up to Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School for their chance to receive the vaccine. At that clinic, the health department had plenty of vaccines, but a shortage of syringes. Higgins said that issue has since been resolved and that the department is prepared for the clinic at the Vo-Tech Schools tonight.

While no one will be turned away, the health department recommends that the following populations receive the vaccine, which will be an injectible version with preservative:

• Pregnant women;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Those planning to attend should note that there will be no on-site parking before 3:15 p.m. Also, clinic lines will be cut or doors closed before 8 p.m. to allow the clinic to close at the stated time. Parents or legal guardians must accompany minors.

Can't make it tonight? This likely won't be the last H1N1 clinic offered in the area.

"They're going to go on for awhile," Higgins said. "We're watching our original supply, and then when we get to a certain point, we can order more, It will depend on the turnouts at these scheduled clinics."