Free Vaccination Hours Extended For Union County Kids

UNION COUNTY, NJ — As the new school year is set to begin, the Union County Immunization Clinic, located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth, will offer extended hours.

The clinic normally operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments will now be accepted until 6:30 p.m. from Monday, Aug. 19 through Friday, Aug. 30. Walk-ins are welcome until 6 p.m., however appointments are preferred.

"Vaccines are required for public school admission, and the extended hours will help parents and caregivers access this free service for eligible children," said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. "The health and safety of children is a top priority for the Freeholder Board."

Children who are at least 2 months old and under age 19 and who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured or under-insured may receive free vaccines at the Immunization Clinic to prevent disease. The clinic offers a series of vaccines suggested by the federal Centers for Disease Control as well as required vaccines for public school admission.

The Immunization Center provides information about available health services to families in need, in addition to screenings and more than a dozen immunizations for eligible children.

A total of 1,936 children were vaccinated in 2018 at the Union County Immunization Center.

The following vaccinations are available at the Union County Immunization Center:

• TD – Tetanus and Diphtheria
• DtaP – Whooping Cough or Pertussis
• HIB – Haemophilus Influenza Type B
• Prevnar – Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (for bacterial infections that cause pneumonia, blood, and brain infections)
• Gardasil
• Proquad
• Rota
• Meningococcal
• Pentacel
• MMR – Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German or 3-day Measles)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella – Chickenpox
• Flu
• Pediarix – DtaP; Hepatitus B; and IPV (inactivated polio vaccine)

For more information on the Union County Immunization Center, to schedule an appointment, or to determine if a child qualifies for services contact the center directly at 908-965-3627/3868.

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