Contact: Julie Willmot
(609) 278-7137

TRENTON, N.J. - Keeping children in good health is the goal behind a recent state decision to require influenza vaccines for young children who attend licensed daycare centers, and Mercer County and its local health officials are assisting with that effort by offering two Free Flu Clinics.

The Free Flu Clinics will be Monday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Trenton Health Department, 218 North Broad Street, Trenton; and on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hamilton Township Division of Health, 2100 Greenwood Ave., Hamilton.

"This is a perfect example of how regional cooperation can meet the needs of our citizens. I'm pleased that each and every health department in the county was able to collaborate with our county health officials to help meet the state's goal to immunize very young children against a serious and potentially deadly illness," said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

Under the state's new flu vaccine requirements, children ranging in age from 6 months to just under 5 years old and who attend licensed day care centers and preschools must receive an annual flu shot between September 1 and December 31 of each year. Children who turn 5 years old on or before December 31 are not required to get the flu vaccine but the state strongly recommends it. The clinics are being offered to children who may have missed the deadline.

For information about the Free Flu Clinics, please call your municipality's local health office.