Influenza
Flu season is quickly approaching, so it is time to have your Flu Shot! The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) will hold clinics over the next several months. Check our Calendar of Events regularly for additional clinics. Cost is $25 and Medicare is accepted. If you have questions, call 732-431-7456, ext. 8512.
At this time, the following Influenza Clinics are scheduled for October and November:
-
Holmdel: Tuesday, 10/17/2017 from 10 a.m. - noon
Senior Center - 6 Crawfords Corner Rd.
-
Marlboro: Wednesday, 10/18/2017 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Recreation Center, 1996 Recreation Way
-
Allentown: Monday, 10/30/2017 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
First Aid Building, 70 Waker Ave.
-
Avon: Wednesday, 11/8/2017 from Noon – 1 p.m.
Municipal Building, 301 Main St.
Rabies Clinics
MCHD hosts rabies clinics throughout
the County during the year. In October
and November, clinics will be available in the following locations:*
-
Farmingdale: Thursday,
11/2/2017 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Firehouse, Main St.
-
Holmdel: Saturday 11/11/2017 from 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Public Works Garage, 14 Crawfords Corner Rd.
-
Keyport: Saturday,
11/4/2017 from 10 a.m. - noon
Public Works Garage - Beers & Francis St.
-
Union Beach: Saturday,
11/11/2017 from 10 a.m. - noon
Public Works Garage, 1400 Florence Ave.
-
Asbury Park: Saturday, 11/4/2017 from noon - 1:30 p.m.
Firehouse, 800 Main St.
-
Hazlet Township
Saturday 10/14/2017 from 9 – 11 a.m.
DPW Facility - Leocadia Court (off Laurel Ave)
-
Aberdeen: Wednesday, 11/8/2017 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Public Works Bldg., 147 Lenox Rd.
-
Howell: Saturday, 11/02/2017 from 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Public Works Garage, Old Tavern Road
*New clinics are added on a regular
basis, so please visit our complete
schedule often!
Rabies
Vaccination Explained.
One year? Three years?
Protecting
your pet from rabies, in conjunction with regular veterinary care, is an
important aspect in the health of your pets. The MCHD offers FREE rabies clinics throughout the
year. One of the most frequently asked
questions is about the duration of the vaccination.
As
in all vaccinations, the vaccine produces an immune response in the animal and
it is the production of antibodies that provides the protection.
The
truth is the same vaccine is used for all vaccinations. The presence of the antibodies mentioned
above is what determines the duration of the vaccination.
If
the pet is under one year of age OR has never been vaccinated before, the first
shot is valid for a period of one year. Never having been vaccinated before, no antibodies have ever been
produced and therefore no “immunity” exists.
Every
shot thereafter, unless advised by your veterinarian for other reasons, is
valid for a period of three years. Because your pet had previously developed antibodies from the first
vaccination, a three year “booster” will insure that your pet has continued
protection. This three year duration is
recognized by the State of New Jersey, even if your pets’ vaccination is not
currently up to date.
So
being able to demonstrate that the pet has had a previous vaccination becomes
extremely important. In the absence of
proof that the pet has been previously vaccinated, the shot will be treated as
an initial vaccination and will be valid for one year, requiring revaccination
next year. Although the additional vaccinations
will not hurt the pet, maintaining your pets’ vaccination history is part of
being a responsible owner, especially if the pet has an encounter with
potentially rabid wildlife or turns up with wounds of unknown origin. (ALWAYS advise your veterinarian if this
situation occurs!)
Finally,
the State of New Jersey requires that the rabies duration be valid for at least
10 months of the municipal licensing year. For example, you will be required to show rabies immunity through
October 2018 to obtain a municipal dog license for 2018.
November
is Diabetic Eye
Disease Awareness Month
Diabetes is the leading cause
of blindness in working-age Americans. According to the American
Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 29 million Americans age 20 or older
have diabetes, but almost one-third don’t know they have the disease and are at
risk for vision loss and other health problems.
Early symptoms of diabetes
are often unnoticed and vision may not be affected until the disease is severe
and less easily treated.
Diabetic eye diseases include
diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. The most common of these is
diabetic retinopathy, which affects 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older.
Diabetic retinopathy is a
potentially blinding condition in which the blood vessels inside the retina
become damaged from the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes. This
leads to fluids leaking into the retina and obstructing blood flow. Both may
cause severe vision loss.
Diabetes can also affect
vision by causing cataracts and glaucoma. If you have diabetes, you may get
cataracts at a younger age and your chances of developing glaucoma are doubled.
Early diagnosis of diabetes and, most importantly,
maintaining strict control of blood sugar and hypertension through diet, exercise
and medication, can reduce your risk of developing eye disease associated with
diabetes. Make an appointment
for an eye exam today! Call your eye doctor or
schedule a complete dilated eye examination with the MCHD at 732-431-7456, ext.
5. Eye exams are provided on the second
Monday of each month.
Health Inspections: The NJ Rating
System
The MCHD is responsible for inspecting
retail food establishments at least once a year. At the conclusion of the
inspection, the establishment is given one of three possible ratings.
A Satisfactory
rating means that the establishment was found to be in
substantial compliance with applicable regulations.
If an establishment is found to be Conditionally Satisfactory additional
inspections are required to address violations observed during the initial
inspection. During the inspection process, we focus on food safety and
handling, food protection including temperature control for both hot and cold
products, cook temperatures, reheat and cool down procedures, hand washing and
occasionally specialized processing and vermin control. An establishment receives a Conditionally
Satisfactory rating when it is not in substantial compliance with one of the
critical provisions listed above. Although cleanliness throughout an
establishment is important, it is generally not the primary focus of an
inspection.
Occasionally an establishment
experiences a condition which could result in an Unsatisfactory rating, which means that the establishment was found
operating under grossly unsanitary conditions which would pose an imminent
hazard. In this instance, the establishment would either voluntarily
discontinue operation until the condition was addressed or be subject to
closure by a court order.
Our job as a Registered Environmental
Health Specialist, commonly known as a Health Inspector, is to educate and
enforce the current food laws and guidelines. A listing of Conditionally
Satisfactory establishments can be found at: https://mcapps.co.monmouth.nj.us/Web/HealthDept/RestaurantInspection.aspx.
If you have any questions or concerns about an
establishment call 732-431-7456, as it is our goal and
obligation to keep our residents safe and healthy.
 |
|
The
MCHD, in conjunction with our municipal partners, provided 2,584 free
rabies vaccinations to dogs and cats in 2016. |
|
