PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
February 15, 2018

Shereef Elnahal
Acting Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

Media Advisory: Acting Health Commissioner Promotes Flu Vaccination of Healthcare Workers

On Friday, February 16, New Jersey Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal will join Janet L. Ready, President, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, to talk with hospital clinicians about the importance of health care workers getting vaccinated and to commend the hospital on its high staff vaccination rate.

The New Jersey Department of Health recommends that all health care personnel get vaccinated annually against influenza. When health care personnel get vaccinated, not only are they protected, but they also protect those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain illnesses.

Ninety-eight percent of Penn Medicine Princeton Health staff have been vaccinated against flu.  The remaining two percent includes those with medical and religious exemptions and staff on leave.

The event will begin at 2pm at Princeton Medical Center, Conference Room E, 1 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro.  It is a part of a month-long series of visits to hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities and county health departments to promote flu vaccination. 

The Department has launched its #FighttheFluNJ campaign to encourage residents to get vaccinated and take steps to prevent the spread of flu, which includes social media, posters, and digital billboards across the state.

For more information about influenza, including where to find vaccine, visit the Department’s flu website at http://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml.

Last Reviewed: 2/15/2018