November/December 2021 Newsletter
The Monmouth County Health Department strives to provide up-to-date information in our newsletter and as well as our website. We encourage you to check our website often for the latest information, including COVID-19 clinics and vaccine availability.
Monmouth County Launches the Health Department App
The Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) has launched its new app which will provide residents and visitors to Monmouth County real-time news and information about services available through the County Health Department.
The MCHD App enables users to easily access a wealth of information on the services of the MCHD that many were previously unaware of. Users will be able to access up to date information on our services and programs; including news, clinics and events, clinical and preventative health services, consumer and environmental health resources, emergency preparedness, mosquito control and much, much more.
We believe you will be surprised by the breadth of resources provided.
The App is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. For more information, call MCHD at 732-431-7456 or go to www.visitmonmouth.com.
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Monmouth County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, free and effective. Pfizer, Moderna & Johnson & Johnson are available for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and booster doses. Walk-ins welcome ages five and up. ID documentation and health insurance not required.
DATES &TIMES
Thurs., Dec 2 Hazlet- 10 am-1 pm James C. Cullen Community Center, 1776 Union Ave
Sat., Dec 4 Howell- 8 am-12 pm, Howell Senior Center, 251 Preventorium Rd
Mon., Dec 6 Holmdel- 10 am-1 pm, Holmdel Senior Center, 6 Crawford's Corner Rd
Wed., Dec 8 Millstone- 3:30 pm-6 pm, Millstone Middle School, 5 Dawson Ct
Wed., Dec 8 Neptune- 4 pm-7 pm, Neptune Senior Center, 1607 Corlies Ave
Thurs., Dec 9 Hazlet- 2 pm-3:30 pm, Baytuliman Academy, 311 Laurel Ave
Sat., Dec 11 Neptune- 8:30 am-11:30 am, Neptune Midtown School, 1155 Corlies Ave
Mon., Dec 13 Red Bank- 4 pm-6:30 pm, Red Bank Primary School, 222 River St
Wed., Dec 15 Keyport- 4 pm-7 pm, Keyport Senior Center, 110 2nd St
Thurs., Dec 16 Marlboro- 10 am-1 pm, Marlboro Recreation Center, 1996 Recreation Way
Wed., Dec 29 Howell- 8 am-12 pm, Howell Senior Center, 251 Preventorium Rd
AND Every Tuesday from 2 PM-6 PM at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft @ Children's Learning Center (CLC) Parking Lots 4 & 5.
COVID-19 Omicron Variant
On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. CDC is following the details of this new variant, first reported to the WHO by South Africa and is working with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners to learn more about this variant.
However, we know what it takes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CDC recommends people follow prevention strategies such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, washing your hands frequently, and socially distancing from others. CDC also recommends that everyone five years and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. CDC encourages a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those who are eligible.
More information will be forthcoming as the public health community learns more about this variant.
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Free COVID-19 Testing
Free COVID-19 testing is open to Monmouth County residents only. No appointments are necessary, simply walk up during the times listed below and a health care professional will administer the nasal swab. Residents do not need to be symptomatic in order to be tested.
NOTE: These clinics are not intended to and are not eligible to fulfil weekly employment testing requirements.
Wed, Dec 8: 4-7 PM Neptune Senior Center 1607 State Rt 33, Neptune, NJ.
Wed, Dec 15: 4-7 PM Keyport Senior Center 110 2nd Ave, Keyport, NJ
Seasonal Influenza
It is not too late to get your Seasonal Flu Shot! Because flu and the common cold have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. According to the CDC, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are typically more intense and begin more abruptly. Colds are usually less severe than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose than people who have the flu. Colds, generally, do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.
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Ask The Inspector
Do you have a question about a public health topic? Restaurants? Body Art? Tanning? Rabies or Animal Control? Septic Systems? Environmental issues? Immunizations? Solid Waste? This is your opportunity to Ask the Inspector. Send your questions to health@co.monmouth.nj.us, and we may answer them in an upcoming newsletter.
Q: Now that home baking is allowed in New Jersey, if I want to sell baked goods from my home, do you have to come and inspect my house?
A: The short answer is…No!
On Oct. 4, 2021, the New Jersey Retail Food code (NJAC 8:24) was amended allowing a “Cottage Food Operator” (CFO) to sell certain non-refrigerated foods directly to the consumer. Local health departments do not license CFO’s. A $100 permit is issued by the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) and is valid for two years. No pre-operational inspection is required from the State or the Monmouth County Health Department, however, there are certain restrictions on this activity.
The CFO must be a Certified Food Protection Manager from an accrediting organization that is recognized by the State of NJ. The CFO must provide a current well water analysis or proof of “City Water”.
On the NJDOH application, the applicant must acknowledge that they have checked with their municipality that there are no local ordinances or zoning requirements that would prevent them from operating a home-based business.
Only certain foods are approved as a Cottage Food Products:
Baked Goods (bread, rolls, biscuits) Cakes, pastries & cookies
Candy (brittle & toffee) Chocolate-covered nuts & dried nuts
Waffle ones & pizzelles Dried pasta & Dried fruit
Dried herbs & seasonings Dry baking mix
Fruit pies, fruit empanadas Fudge
Granola, cereal & trail mix Nut butters
Fruit jam, jelly & preserves Honey & sorghum syrup
Popcorn & caramel corn Nut & nut mixtures
Vinegar & mustard Roast coffee & dried tea
Upon written notice to NJDOH, other non-temperature control sensitive foods may be considered
In addition, the applicant must attest to certain conditions including:
No sales to wholesale or retail food establishments
No interstate commerce
No delivery via common carrier (U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS etc.)
The product must be labeled as prepared in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health
The CFO application, instructions, information on Certified Food Protection Manager certification and Cottage Food Regulations are available on the NJDOH “Cottage Food Operators-Home Bakers” page HERE
Free Rabies Clinics
Sat Jan 15, 2022 9-11AM Oceanport Firehouse 433 Myrtle Ave
Sat Jan 22, 2022 8-11AM Freehold Twp Michael Tighe Park 65 Georgia Rd
Sat Feb 5, 2022 1-3PM Shrewsbury Twp Municipal Bldg 1979 Crawford St
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Despite being deployed for COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the beginning of 2021, our staff of over a dozen Registered Environmental Health Specialists have conducted over 1,980 Retail Food Establishment inspections so far this year. |
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