PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
October 27, 2020

Judith M. Persichilli
Commissioner

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

New Jersey Department of Health Recognizes Awardees of Statewide Immunization Campaign

Promotes the Importance of Childhood Immunizations

The New Jersey Department of Health today announced the awardees of the third annual New Jersey Hot Shots for Tots Immunization Campaign. The campaign encourages childcare and preschool facilities to promote immunization best practices and to improve immunization rates.

 

“The Hot Shots Initiative is an opportunity to promote the value of vaccination, which has become even more evident during the pandemic,” said Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “Receiving timely immunizations and ensuring compliance with New Jersey immunization requirements is key in keeping our schools and communities safe from vaccine preventable diseases.”

 

Hot Shots for Tots initiative participants select from pre-determined immunization-related activities to earn points toward reaching Gold, Silver, or Bronze award levels. Examples of activities include: attending an annual immunization workshop, participating in a national immunization awareness event, or providing education to parents about childhood immunizations. All facilities must be in good standing with New Jersey’s school immunization requirements in order to receive an award.

 

This year, the campaign recognizes 20 awardees:

 

Gold:

Acelero Learning Center—Redbank

Apple Hill Academy—Howell

Barclay Early Childhood Center—Cherry Hill

Bright Tomorrows Childcare Center—Flemington

Cambridge Park Pre-School—Aberdeen Township

Cela-B School—Clifton

Give and Take Child Care Center—Wanamassa

Hackensack Meridian Early Childhood Education Center—Neptune

Holmdel Preschool—Holmdel

Kidzland—Parlin

Little People At Work Inc.--Neptune

Monmouth Daycare—Red Bank

National Park Elementary—National Park

Red Bank Preschool-First Baptist Church—Red Bank

Red Bank Preschool Monmouth Day Care Center—Red Bank

Red Bank Preschool Monmouth Reform Temple—Red Bank

Red Bank Preschool-United Methodist Church—Red Bank

St. Ann's Child Care Center—Keansburg

 

Silver:

Apple Hill Academy—Freehold

Lincroft Center for Children--Lincroft

 

In New Jersey, children 6 – 59 months of age attending licensed childcare and preschool facilities are required to receive the flu vaccine before December 31st of each year. Many of the awardees focused their educational efforts on promoting the flu vaccine and making sure children met the deadline.


Although the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, this year receiving the flu vaccine is even more important.

 

“Getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however, the vaccine can reduce flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and can help to conserve vital healthcare resources during the pandemic” said Commissioner Persichilli.

 

In addition to flu vaccination, the Hot Shots for Tots campaign serves as a reminder of the benefit of routine childhood immunizations in preventing vaccine preventable disease outbreaks.

 

During the early stages of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a troubling drop in routine childhood vaccinations. The Department encourages all families to make sure children continue to receive timely immunizations and that they catch up on any missed vaccinations.

 

For more information on maintaining childhood vaccinations during the pandemic, please visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/vaccination-during-COVID-19.html.

 

To learn more about the Hot Shots for Tots Immunization Campaign, visit https://nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements/vpdp_hotshots.shtml.

 

For more information about the flu vaccine, including where to access vaccines, visit https://nj.gov/health/fighttheflunj.

 

 

Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook  /njdeptofhealthInstagram @njdeptofhealth and Snapchat @njdoh.

 

Last Reviewed: 10/26/2020