Child's Death Prompts Call For Bergen County Flu Prevention Efforts

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Days after a North Jersey toddler died from the flu, officials and doctors are raising awareness and launching programs to combat the spread of the virus.

New Jersey is one of 11 states in the country with a "very high" flu caseload, according to the current case map from the Influenza Divison of the CDC.

On Monday, Bergen County-based Rep. Josh Gottheimer gathered with doctors at Hackensack Medical Center to announce local and state actions to increase vaccine access and other safeguards.

Dr. Joseph Underwood, the chair of emergency medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center, said, "This flu and cold season has seen activity explode across the United States, reaching record highs...Hospitalizations nationally have surged, driven in part by a new strain of the common flu virus known as subclade K. Because this strain is new, our collective immunity is lower, which contributed to its rapid spread."

He added, "Immunizations are the most vital tool we have to prevent suffering and to save lives. As healthcare professionals it is our fundamental obligation to cut through the noise and ensure our patients have the facts."

Health officials say the flu vaccines, which are updated yearly, don't prevent all forms of the virus, but may lessen symptoms in cases they don't prevent.

Gottheimer said flu cases in New Jersey number more than 12,000 right now, while a year ago there were roughly 5,500. (See weekly reports in New Jersey for respiratory illnesses here.)

A 2-year-old Morris County boy died of flu complications last Tuesday. READ MORE: Morris County Boy Dies From Flu, Community Rallies To Support Family

"This flu season is particularly deadly, and we need more people to get their flu shots,” Gottheimer said.

He announced these measures to fight the flu:

• The Fight Flu Act: Legislation has been proposed to let states used federal resources to create or expand mobile flu vaccine clinics.

• Boosting Mobile Flu Shot Clinics: Gottheimer asked Bergen County's health department to plan for mobile clinics in partnership with local medical providers.

• Expanded Education: He called for the state to "significantly ramp up its flu vaccination education campaign," particularly for families with young children and for seniors. The majority of hospitalizations are people over 65, he said. He noted that people should also be informed about other preventable diseases like measles.

Clinics

A Bergen County spokesperson said Tuesday that the county has been holding flu clinics on Saturday mornings at the Health Department in Hackensack from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. They also plan to host mobile events. Patch has requested a link and more information, and this story will be updated when one is received.

Flu shots also can be acquired at New Bridge Medical Center, other medical offices, and local pharmacies. Find out more about the shot here.

Gottheimer also took a jab at the changing vaccine recommendations put forth recently by the Trump administration, saying, “Politicians should not overrule doctors. Ideology should never replace science. And when families get confused, fewer kids get vaccinated."

Find out more about the flu and vaccines at NJ.gov/health.