OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River, and the Lakewood Board of Education have formed a partnership to ensure that Lakewood students and their families receive H1N1 immunizations. Dr. Carmen R. Mallamaci, the Chief Medical Officer of OHI, says, “So far 218 children were vaccinated at the Spruce Street School, 270 at the Clifton Avenue Grade School, and just last week 303 students and family members were vaccinated at the Clifton Avenue Grade School. Other schools are scheduled for immunizations in the coming weeks.”
                OHI is visiting the schools with its Mobile Medical Unit to immunize children during the school day. Children who attend the Lakewood public schools do not require an appointment; however, parents must fill out and sign a consent form the children will be bringing home.  To date, OHI is now offering both the intranasal H1N1vaccine and the shots at the schools. However, children with asthma or other medical conditions should only receive the H1N1 shot.
                Lydia Silva, superintendent of the Lakewood public schools, will notify parents about the dates, times, and schools that will be offering immunization programs.  An immunization program is scheduled at Oak Street School on November 16 and Ella Clarke School on November 18.
                OHI will adhere to CDC guidelines and target the risk groups, which include pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, all people from six months through 24-years of age, and persons 25 through 64-years-old who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. Children under the age of 10 will need two doses, approximately one month apart
Parents should feel free to contact the OHI call center at (732) 363-6655 with any questions regarding the upcoming events.
 
OHI is offering H1N1 shots Friday, November 20 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Toms River OHI Health Center, 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at our Lakewood OHI Health Center, 101 Second Street, Lakewood.
 
In addition, OHI Mobile Medical Unit will provide H1N1 shots at the Bais Faiga School, Lakewood, on November 23.
 
For questions, contact the OHI Call Center at (732) 363-6655. Frances Kirschner