The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has opened a toll-free hotline for the general public in regard to the H1N1 Influenza and Vaccine. Call 1-866-321-9571 Monday - Friday from 9am-5pm.  Local clinics for dispensing vaccine in Hawthorne will be announced here on Hawthorne's website.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the federal government has provided information for citizens who have questions and/or concerns about H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu.   

Vaccine Manufacturer Sanofi-Pasteur announced that it is recalling four lots totaling about 800,000 doses of pre-filled syringes of the H1N1 vaccine intended for use with children ages six months through 35 months.  The lots were voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer after routine post-shipping tests of the vaccine found the vaccine to be slightly less potent than the manufacturer's license stipulates.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that there are no safety concerns with these recalled lots of the H1N1 vaccine.  The vaccine in these particular lots is still expected to be effective in stimulating a protective response.  Parents of children who received vaccine from the recalled lots do not need to take any action, other than to complete the two-dose immunization series if not already completed.  Sanofi Pasteur will send notification to providers who received doses from any of the four lots of vaccine so that they can return any unused vaccine. 

In no way does this recall affect any of the children who were vaccinated at the H1N1 clinics provided through the Hawthorne Board of Health Department.  For additional information please refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.