The Somerset County Department of Health announced the opening of a public health clinic to provide routine immunizations to children ages 18 years and younger living in Somerset County through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. The program offers vaccines at no cost to children who are uninsured, American Indian or Alaska Native, or enrolled in New Jersey Family Care Plan A.
“Vaccinations protect not just individual children from dangerous diseases, but also classmates and family members who may be vulnerable,” said Commissioner Doug Singleterry, liaison to the Department of Health. “Somerset County is committed to helping every child have the healthiest possible school year, and we’re launching these free vaccination clinics as part of that goal.”
For those eligible for the VFC program, appointments are required and can be made at https://bit.ly/3Y55Rc1. The full range of childhood vaccines required for school attendance are available through the public health clinic.
The clinic will be located within the Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center at 500 North Bridge Street in Bridgewater. During the opening week, appointments will be available on the following days:
- Saturday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon
- Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 2-5 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 22 from 4-7 p.m.
Additional clinic dates can be found on the Somerset County Department of Health website at: SoCoNJ.gov/health.
With the help of vaccines, many diseases have become rare in the United States but some do still exist. Following the recommended vaccine schedule from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the best defense parents can give to help protect their child from potentially serious diseases such as polio, measles, cancer, whooping cough, and chickenpox. Unvaccinated children are at increased risk of contracting such diseases and can spread them to classmates, babies too young to be vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems.
New Jersey has specific vaccination requirements based on age groups prior to students entering into childcare and preschool programs, and K-12 schools. School nurses can provide additional guidance on how to provide proof of your child’s vaccination to the school, and more information is available at https://www.nj.gov/health/vaccines/nj-immunization-requirements/.
To learn more about the 2024 Immunization Schedules, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/.
For questions about the SCDOH public health clinic or eligibility, call (908) 231-7155 or email SCDOHnursing@co.somerset.nj.us.
