SOMERSET COUNTY SCHEDULES ADDITIONAL COVID VACCINATION CLINIC SOLELY FOR 6-MONTH TO FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN
Following Federal Approval of Pfizer and Moderna Doses, County Provides Secure, Calming and Private Clinic Focusing on Our Youngest Residents
SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Department of Health announced a special clinic solely for children aged six months to five years old on June 29, 2022, at the Senior Wellness Center in Bridgewater. The decision to hold the special clinic is in recognition of the specific needs of this population for calm and comfort care in a medical setting following the federal government’s approval of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for this cohort.
“Somerset County has been a leader in COVID vaccinations since our first clinic in December 2020, and we are glad to see the FDA has expanded eligibility to include these kids,” said Commissioner Doug Singleterry, liaison to the Somerset County Health Department. “This special clinic is exclusively for these kids and their parents, providing a safe, calm space to get vaccinated against COVID for the protection of themselves and their families.”
Children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, can get sick from COVID-19, and can spread COVID-19 to others. Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your children 6 months-5 years of age and older vaccinated against COVID-19. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for all approved categories.
No appointment is necessary for this clinic. Parents or guardians who wish to vaccinate one or more children ages 6 months-5 years can visit the Senior Wellness Center at 476 E. Main Street in Bridgewater on June 29 between 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. Children must be Somerset County residents, and have a parent or legal guardian consent and be present during vaccination. The schedule of additional doses is slightly different for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna pediatric vaccines, and providers at the clinic will work with parents to ensure a complete and effective vaccination schedule.
Future Somerset County COVID-19 vaccination clinics for all eligible residents are updated as they are scheduled at http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/vaxclinics. Vaccination for this age group may also be available at local pharmacies or pediatric healthcare provider offices, and parents who cannot attend a County clinic are encouraged to reach out to other providers. A listing of all providers with COVID-19 vaccine in the Garden state can be found at https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder.
Pediatricians, healthcare providers, municipalities, and other organizations in Somerset County interested in partnering to provide Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna pediatric COVID-19 vaccines for this age group, should contact the Somerset County Department of Health at covidvax@co.somerset.nj.us for more information.
To reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, get vaccinated, stay up to date on your vaccines, and follow everyday healthy habits. The following interventions may also help stop the spread of coronaviruses and other respiratory diseases:
-Everyone over 2 years of age should wear a well-fitted mask in indoor public areas
where the COVID-19 Community level is high, regardless of vaccination status
-Maintain distance from others if you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and if
you are at high risk of getting sick with COVID-19
-Avoid poorly ventilated spaces & crowds
-Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
-Cover coughs and sneezes
-Monitor health daily and stay home when sick
It is important to stay informed through reliable resources. Follow public health experts such as the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/, the New Jersey Department of Health at http://www.nj.gov/health and the Somerset County Department of Health at http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.
The Somerset County Department of Health is the lead agency for public health emergency preparedness and response in Somerset County. Funding for these activities is provided by the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement through the New Jersey Department of Health.