New Jersey suspends preschool vaccine mandate
New Jersey today suspended enforcement of its first-in-the-nation mandate that preschoolers receive seasonal flu vaccine in order to attend licensed preschool and childcare.
"We are strongly encouraging parents to have their children get the vaccine," Heather Howard, commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services, said in a conference call with reporters.
But given widespread reports of shortages, Howard said, it made no sense to enforce the mandate.
The separate vaccine for swine flu, which first appeared last spring, was never part of the mandate but Howard said people should also continue trying to get that vaccine as well.
Both vaccines are in short supply, in part because manufacturers cut short their production of seasonal flu vaccine to focus on the swine flu vaccine.
Public clinics for seasonal flu vaccine currently are scheduled in New Jersey's Gloucester County for tomorrow at River Winds Community Center, 1000 River Winds Drive, Thorofare, NJ from 9:00am to 11:00 am.
Clinics for swine flu vaccine are scheduled today and tomorrow in Pennsylvania's Delaware County at Suite 1, 151 West Fifth St. Chester from 9m - noon and 1 - 3pm. Pateints need to pre-register by calling 1-877-724-3258
Philadelphia has both vaccines.
Details and eligibility requirements are posted at http://go.philly.com/flu/
