The New Jersey Department of Health today announced the awardees of the third annual New Jersey Hot Shots for Tots Immunization Campaign. The campaign encourages childcare and preschool facilities to promote immunization best practices and to improve immunization rates.
“The Hot Shots Initiative is an opportunity to promote the value of vaccination, which has become even more evident during the pandemic,” Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli said. “Receiving timely immunizations and ensuring compliance with New Jersey immunization requirements is key in keeping our schools and communities safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Hot Shots for Tots initiative participants select from pre-determined immunization-related activities to earn points toward reaching Gold, Silver, or Bronze award levels.
Examples of activities include: attending an annual immunization workshop, participating in a national immunization awareness event, or providing education to parents about childhood immunizations. All facilities must be in good standing with New Jersey’s school immunization requirements in order to receive an award.
This year, the campaign recognizes 20 awardees:
Gold:
- Acelero Learning Center—Redbank
- Apple Hill Academy—Howell
- Barclay Early Childhood Center—Cherry Hill
- Bright Tomorrows Childcare Center—Flemington
- Cambridge Park Pre-School—Aberdeen Township
- Cela-B School—Clifton
- Give and Take Child Care Center—Wanamassa
- Hackensack Meridian Early Childhood Education Center—Neptune
- Holmdel Preschool—Holmdel
- Kidzland—Parlin
- Little People At Work Inc.--Neptune
- Monmouth Daycare—Red Bank
- National Park Elementary—National Park
- Red Bank Preschool-First Baptist Church—Red Bank
- Red Bank Preschool Monmouth Day Care Center—Red Bank
- Red Bank Preschool Monmouth Reform Temple—Red Bank
- Red Bank Preschool-United Methodist Church—Red Bank
- St. Ann's Child Care Center—Keansburg
Silver:
- Apple Hill Academy—Freehold
- Lincroft Center for Children--Lincroft
In New Jersey, children 6 – 59 months of age attending licensed childcare and preschool facilities are required to receive the flu vaccine before December 31st of each year. Many of the awardees focused their educational efforts on promoting the flu vaccine and making sure children met the deadline.
Although the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, this year receiving the flu vaccine is even more important.
“Getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however, the vaccine can reduce flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and can help to conserve vital healthcare resources during the pandemic,” Commissioner Persichilli said.
In addition to flu vaccination, the Hot Shots for Tots campaign serves as a reminder of the benefit of routine childhood immunizations in preventing vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.
During the early stages of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a troubling drop in routine childhood vaccinations.
The Department encourages all families to make sure children continue to receive timely immunizations and that they catch up on any missed vaccinations.
For more information on maintaining childhood vaccinations during the pandemic, please visit the [**CDC website**](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/vaccination-during-COVID-19.html).
To learn more about the Hot Shots for Tots Immunization Campaign, visit the [**New Jersey Department of Health website**](https://nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements/vpdp_hotshots.shtml).
For more information about the flu vaccine, including where to access vaccines, click [**here**](https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml).