It’s the Law: Flu Shot Mandatory for Childcare Tots!

– Based on a law passed in New Jersey just last December, parents have an additional to-do item before their child can attend a licensed day-care, pre-school or other school this year !! The state law requires children from 6 months to 59 months of age to get a flu vaccination. Moreover, parents are required to meet this requirement before December 31, 2008. New Jersey is the first state in the nation that requires this vaccine for preschoolers or older students, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

To help area families meet this new requirement, The Goddard School, located at 255 Route 70, in Toms River, http://www.goddardschool.com/Schools/Toms-River-II-NJ/Schools.gspx, is hosting a Family Flu Clinic, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - without restriction, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. The fee for the vaccine shot is only $30 per. An alternative flu mist vaccine is priced at only $35.

Because some doctor's offices are experiencing increased demand for these vaccines right now, the preschool has partnered with ESI Medical, LLC, http://www.esimedical.com/resources, to ensure that area children can get the immunization next Tuesday. ESI Medical is a physician-owned health-care service from Manasquan, NJ.

“Doctors say the flu vaccine is not only safe, but effective”, says Dana Chibbaro (CQ), owner and operator of The Goddard School. “According to the Health Department, all schools are responsible for ensuring that children have this immunization. Local health departments will be enforcing these requirements at all schools and daycare centers, and will be auditing us for compliance. Childcare providers and schools can be fined for NOT complying with these requirements,“ she adds.

So, write a note for yourself right now about getting your child immunized by December 31st. Feel free to contact Ms. Dana Chibbaro, at (732)363-5530, for information about the new law, the Flu Clinic, or about The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development, at 255 Route 70, in Toms River, NJ.