Vaccine Deadlines Extended in New Jersey

NJ health officials extend vaccine deadline

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 30, 2008

TRENTON — Parents of toddlers in New Jersey have a few extra weeks to comply with a new state law requiring they get their preschoolers vaccinated.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is giving people a grace period beyond Wednesday's original deadline.

Parents now have until mid-January to get their children the shots or show a note proving they have a vaccination appointment by the end of the month.

New Jersey is the first state to require flu and pneumonia shots for any child attending preschool or a licensed day care center.

Some groups are opposed to the vaccine requirement, arguing parents should have a chance to opt-out.

Taken from the Asbury Park Press, December 30, 2008

Shingles Vaccine

One of the most exciting vaccines to come out for the senior population in the last few years is the Shingles vaccine, Zostavax.

Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the chickenpox virus remains inactive in your body in certain nerves. If the virus does become active again, usually later in life, it causes Shingles. This disease will affect one out of every two people over the age of 85. ZOSTAVAX is used to prevent Shingles in adults 60 years of age or older. Once you reach age 60, the sooner you get vaccinated, the better your chances of protecting yourself from Shingles. ZOSTAVAX is given as a single shot. ZOSTAVAX cannot be used to treat Shingles once you have it.

ZOSTAVAX is contraindicated in persons with a history of anaphylactic/
anaphylactoid reaction to gelatin, neomycin, or any other component of the vaccine; with a history of primary or acquired immunodeficiency states including leukemia; lymphomas of any type, or other malignant neoplasms affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system; or with AIDS or other clinical manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency viruses. ZOSTAVAX is a live attenuated varicella-zoster vaccine and administration may result in disseminated disease in individuals who are immunosuppressed. ZOSTAVAX is also contraindicated in persons on immunosuppressive therapy.

You need a prescription from your physician to receive this vaccine, and even then they may not offer to give you it. The vaccine must be frozen at a very specific, and cold, temperature and most physicians cant maintain the vaccine effectively. After 20 minutes of being at room temp the vaccine is not effective. Also, physicians cannot bill for this vaccine like most others, so they end up charging a fee (ranging from $225-$350) .

Our company has found ways to overcome these challenges, and is now one of the largest providers in New Jersey for Zostavax. Visit ESI Medical at www.esimedical.com

Introduction

ESI Medical is a licensed and bonded Healthcare Service Firm operating in 5 states. Being a physician owned and operated agency, our clients get the perspective, attention and execution unique in our industry.

We provide a multitude of vaccine services in our office, and this blog will serve as a way to educate patients and travelers about the vaccines we offer.

Whether you're seeking sun and sand, traveling for business or embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, ESI Medical is the place to start you on your way to healthy and safer travel. Travelers often will plan out their trips down to the last detail, but they often forget the most important part of most international trips: Getting vaccinated