Free school vaccinations, physicals available Sept. 21 in Union County

Families in Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights can get their children's required school vaccinations and physicals at no cost on Monday, Sept. 21, at the Union County Family Clinic in Elizabeth.

The clinic, at 40 Parker Road, will offer all recommended childhood vaccines and school physicals for children from pre-K through age 18 between 3 and 7 p.m. that day, according to Union County. All three communities are in Union County and eligible for county services.

Pre-registration is required, and walk-ins will not be accepted.

The registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 11. To sign up, families can call the Union County Family Clinic at 908-965-3627, extension 3868, or email [email protected].

What's offered

The event is a partnership among the Union County Board of County Commissioners, RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Department of Health. It bundles vaccinations, physicals and community health resources into a single visit.

New Jersey requires students to meet immunization requirements including DTaP, polio, MMR, varicella, hepatitis B and, for grades 7 through 12, meningococcal vaccines. Requirements vary by grade level. For preschoolers in licensed child care, an annual flu shot is due by Nov. 30.

RWJBarnabas Health community health workers and SNAP navigators will be on-site to connect families with additional services. Registered attendees will also receive a lunch box with nutrition information, healthy recipes and fresh produce, while supplies last.

State vaccine rules unchanged

The free clinic comes as New Jersey has reaffirmed its school immunization requirements following a federal executive order signed Aug. 10 that recommended fewer routine childhood vaccines. The state Department of Health said the order does not affect New Jersey law.

"The evidence behind childhood vaccines is clear, it has not changed, and New Jersey will continue to make sure every family can access the vaccines that keep their children safe," Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington said on Aug. 18, according to WRNJ.

Union County Commissioner Chair Joseph C. Bodek said the event brings vaccinations, physicals and community resources together in one location so parents and caregivers can get what their children need before the school year starts.