August is National Immunization Awareness Month

In recognition of August as National Immunization Awareness Month, the Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents that free immunizations are available to eligible children and adults at the Union County Immunization Center. The Immunization Center is located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth.

“Union County’s immunization clinic helps to ensure that every infant and child in our community can receive protection from preventable diseases, regardless of their insurance status or family circumstance,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We encourage everyone to check the eligibility for themselves and their children, and keep up to date on all needed vaccinations.”

Residents who are uninsured, underinsured, or who are covered by Medicaid Plan A are eligible for services at the Union County Immunization Center.

To receive vaccinations for a child, parents or guardians are required to provide the eligible child’s birth certificate, current vaccination records, parent or legal guardians ID and proof of address. Legal guardians must also have guardianship papers from the Court. If the child is in school, a referral by a school nurse must be presented. For adults looking to get vaccinated, photo ID is required as well as proof of address.

The Immunization Center provides information about available health services to families in need, screenings and more than a dozen immunizations for eligible children starting at 2 months of age as well as adults. Offerings have since been expanded to include the three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“Historically, immunizations have helped to eliminate many transmissible diseases,” said the Chair of the Public Safety Committee, Commissioner Sergio Granados, who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “The Commissioner Board is proud to provide this vital service to residents who lack sufficient medical coverage and want to get immunized.”

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)

Shenrix – Shingles

COVID-19 Vaccines: Pfizer (12 years and up), Moderna (adults)

To make an appointment at the Union County Immunization Center, to determine eligibility for free immunization, or to find out more about available programs, call the Immunization Center weekdays during regular business hours at (908) 965-3627/3868. Appointments for immunizations can usually be scheduled within 48-72 hours of calling.

The Union County Immunization Clinic opened in 2013 and is run as a service of the Union County Department of Human Services. Since opening, free immunizations have been administered for thousands of uninsured and underinsured children. Adult immunization began last year.

The Immunization Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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