The Union County Board of Commissioners invites members of the public to attend a virtual, interactive Town Hall on COVID-19, on Zoom beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, aimed at helping the Union County community understand the science behind COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots and pediatric doses for ages 5-11.
“We are hearing concerns about newly available vaccines for children, as well as guidance on booster shots and third doses for persons with immune deficiencies,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Virtual Town Hall will provide an opportunity to get reliable answers from experts in the fields of medicine and public health, and we encourage everyone to attend.”
“The Town Hall is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that every Union County resident has access to up-to-date information about preventing infection from this deadly virus. We continue to encourage residents to can get fully vaccinated as soon as possible, and we hope that everyone who still has questions about COVID-19 will attend the Town Hall and get the facts,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is Chairman of the Board’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
The Town Hall will feature a panel of experts including:
Dr. Margaret Fisher: A specialist in infectious disease and pediatrics, Dr. Fisher is co-chair of the Professional Advisory Committee to the New Jersey Department of Health. She is also Medical Director of Clinical and Academic Excellence at Monmouth Medical Center.
Dr. Cecilia Di Pentima: The director of pediatric infectious disease at Morristown Medical Center and a professor of pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Di Pentima is Double-board-certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. She is a specialist in treating children with an array of complex conditions, with more than 20 years of experience working closely with her young patients’ pediatricians, neonatologists, intensive care unit doctors, and other specialists.
Joseph Youngblood II, Ph.D.: Dr. Youngblood serves as Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Kean University and is Chair of the St. Francis Medical Center’s Board of Trustees. St. Francis is an acute care teaching hospital with more than 300 medical staff physicians representing all specialties.