Month: September 2022

The Union County Board of County Commissioners announces that Union County residents age 12 years and older can now obtain the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shots authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at any vaccination clinic run by Union County.

The new bivalent boosters are made by Moderna and Pfizer. They both target the two main Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, in addition to targeting the original COVID-19 strain.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, this Commissioner Board has worked to ensure that Union County residents have access to new resources that save lives and prevent long term health impacts. We encourage every resident to obtain a new bivalent booster shot as soon as they are eligible,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

To be eligible for the new bivalent booster, residents must be 12 years of age or older, and must have completed their primary vaccination series, consisting of two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Those who have received the new Novavax vaccine are not yet eligible for any booster at this time.

Children ages 5 to 11 will continue to receive the monovalent booster shots.

The vaccination clinics run by Union County welcome walk-ins for booster shots, but appointments are recommended. Residents ages 12 and up who previously scheduled a monovalent booster shot at a Union County vaccination clinic will need to make a new appointment to receive a bivalent booster.

To make an appointment online visit the Union County COVID-19 portal at ucnj.org/covid19/ or call 908-613-7829 for assistance.

Union County residents age 12 and up can make an appointment to receive the new bivalent booster shot two months after they have completed their primary series, or two months after their last booster shot.

As a reminder, the monovalent booster shots are no longer authorized for persons 12 years of age and older. Only children ages 5 to 11 will continue to receive the monovalent booster shots. At this time, booster shots are not authorized for children and infants under age 5.

Vaccination is the best defense against the worst impacts of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Union County residents who are not vaccinated yet are urged to begin their primary series as soon as possible, and then follow up with the new bivalent booster shot as soon as they are eligible (or monovalent booster for ages 5-11).

The primary series is authorized for all adults, children and infants beginning at 6 months.

Union County’s vaccine clinics currently offer all authorized vaccines and boosters as follows:

Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive at Warinanco Park in Roselle: 

On Tuesdays, the Warinanco clinic is open only for ages 6 months to five years to receive the Pfizer (6 months to 4 years) or Moderna (6 months to 5 years) vaccines. The hours of operation on Tuesdays are 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

On Thursdays, the Warinanco clinic provides all vaccines and booster formulations for all age groups. The hours of operation are 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue in Plainfield (use the Kenyon Avenue entrance):

On Saturdays, the Plainfield High School clinic provides all vaccines and booster formulations. The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (please note the clinic will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on September 17).

To make an appointment for a vaccination at either the Warinanco or Plainfield clinics, create an account or log into an existing account through Union County’s vaccination portal, ucnj.org/covid19. If additional assistance is needed call 908-613-7829.

Walk-ups for booster shots for all eligible age groups are welcome at both the Warinanco Sports Center and Plainfield High School sites, but appointments are encouraged.

Home-bound residents may be eligible for a home vaccination visit. To make an appointment, call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-613-7829 during regular weekday business hours, or leave a call-back message after hours.

For details about Union County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics and other resources visit ucnj.org/covid19.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Flag Raising to kick off a month-long series of events in celebration of Hispanic Heritage throughout Union County

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to attend the Annual Union County Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., on the steps of the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth. The event is free for all to attend.

“We are proud to once again raise the Hispanic Heritage flag at the County Courthouse,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “Union County is one of the most diverse in New Jersey and this is our way of recognizing the Hispanic community living and working in Union County and we are proud to be one of the most inclusive counties in New Jersey and we will continue to work to promote unity.”

“Approximately one-third of Union County residents are of Hispanic origin. Being of Salvadorian descent, I am proud to be one of the many constituents that make Union County a more diverse place to live,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “Since the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration’s inception in 2018, it has been a symbol that recognizes and celebrates the many contributions Latinos have made throughout history. Being under one flag, unites all of the Hispanic cultures together and also gives residents of Union County of all races and ethnicities a chance to come together and learn about our rich heritages. I look forward to joining our neighbors in all of the County’s month-long festivities.”

“As a Cuban-American, I am proud to serve in a County with such a strong Hispanic presence,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon. “There are over 20,000 Hispanic residents in Union County alone who contribute to our growth and development and for the next four weeks, we will showcase the diversity, talent and cultures that make up our neighborhoods. I am excited to celebrate with everyone and honor the Hispanic community.”

The program for the event will include remarks from guest speaker Diana Calle, Director of the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs (OPDSN). Ms. Calle also serves the Hispanic community as Vice President of LUPE Fund, Inc. – a non-profit organization with the mission to educate, empower, and engage Latinas in the State of New Jersey. She has been an active member since she received the LUPE Young Latina Leadership Scholarship in 2011.

“The most recent census confirmed that Hispanic Americans are making an impact in NJ,” said Diana Calle. “I am proud to be a Hispanic member of the community, not only in holding a leadership role within the Union County administration, but as the guest speaker at the Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising. I would like to thank the County for honoring my heritage along with the heritage of hundreds of thousands of other residents like me…in a place I call home.”

The flag raising is the first in a series of scheduled events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The full schedule of events includes:

• September 15, 5:00 p.m. – Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising – Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth
• September 17, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Cultural Day – Warinanco Park Sports Center, Roselle
• September 23, 6:30 p.m. – Movie Night: Encanto – Warinanco Park, Roselle
• October 12, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Panel: History of Union County’s Hispanic Media Connection – Kean University North Avenue Academic Building (Corner of Morris and North Aves.)
• October 14, 7:00 p.m. – Drive-Up Movie: Encanto – (Salsa Lessons @ 7:00 p.m. & Movie @ 8:00 p.m.) – Plainfield High School, 950 Park Ave., Plainfield.
• October 15, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Family Fun Day – Rahway River Park, Parkway Drive (Next to Ulrich Memorial Pool)

For movie events, residents are advised to bring their own blankets and chairs.

For more information regarding the Hispanic Heritage month and related events, please visit: https://ucnj.org/hhm22/ or contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator, by email at judith.guest@ucnj.org or by phone at (908) 527-4388.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce that the County of Union will now operate the first monkeypox vaccination clinic for Union County, beginning next week. Union County’s Office of Health Management is hosting the clinic at the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Roselle, beginning Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“We are proud to work in collaboration with the State of New Jersey to bring all these free vaccine clinics to Union County and push back on the monkeypox virus,” said Union County Chair Rebecca Williams. “This new site will make it easier for eligible residents to have a vaccine appointment close to home and stay protected.”

As of mid-August, Union County has had a total of 55 reported monkeypox cases.  At the clinic, the Union County Office of Health Management will be administering the Jynneos vaccine to eligible and high-risk residents ages 1-17 and 18 years and older. A limited supply was allocated by the NJ Department of Health.

The Jynneos vaccine is a two-dose series, given 28 days apart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends receiving both doses of the vaccine, as the level of protection for one dose is unknown. Residents who have been vaccinated against monkeypox by the Union County Office of Health Management will automatically be scheduled for a second dose appointment.

First Dose Appointments:

• September 14, 2022: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• September 15, 2022: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• September 16, 2022: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Second Dose Appointments:

• October 12, 2022: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• October 13, 2022: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• October 14, 2022: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Attended an event where known monkeypox (HMPVX) exposure happened within the past 14 days.
• Had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in areas where monkeypox (hMPXV) has been reported.
• Persons who are at continued risk for occupational exposure.

Appointments are strongly recommended

They can be scheduled at https://ucnj.org/monkeypox/ until all available slots are filled. Residents can click that link and follow the prompts to make an appointment for your monkeypox vaccination. Select ‘Jynneos 1-17’ or ‘Jynneos 18+’ from the drop-down menu.

What You Need to Know

• Monkeypox (also known as hMPXV or MPXV) is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
• It can cause a rash that can look like pimples or blisters and can also cause a flu-like sickness (fever, cough, headache, body aches, chills, feeling very tired, etc.).
• Monkeypox can spread to any person – most likely through close, skin-to-skin contact with someone with monkeypox, or through saliva or other body fluids.
• It can also spread through touching things or surfaces, especially clothes, bedding, and towels that have been used by someone with monkeypox and not disinfected.
• Symptoms start within 3 weeks of being exposed to the virus.
• If you start having flu-like symptoms, a rash will usually come 1-4 days later.
• The rash can be on the face, inside the mouth, chest, hands, feet, genitals, or anus and starts as small, reddish spots. It then develops into blisters that fill with pus (liquid from infected tissue).
• Monkeypox can spread from the time a rash starts to the time a rash has fully healed with a new layer of skin.
• This usually takes two to four weeks.

Residents may also call the County of Union Vaccination hotline if they need assistance in making and managing appointments at 908-613-7VAX (7829).

The Union County 4-H program encourages students in grades 1-12 to explore their interests and share their knowledge.

Union County 4-H Clubs are gearing up for a new season, and students in grades 1-12 are invited to join the fun. Students and their families are welcomed to attend the 4-H Club Open House on Friday, September 23 to meet this year’s 4-H club leaders and learn more about the topics for the 2022-2023 school year. The event includes food, activities and more.

“The 4-H program encourages students to become experts in their favorite subjects, and share their knowledge with the community. It’s a unique hands-on learning and leadership opportunity,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “The Board of Commissioners is very proud to support the 4-H program in Union County.”

Students and parents who are interested in attending the 4-H Open House should pre-register by contacting Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz by email at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

The Open House will be held at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, from 6:39 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening, September 23.

Students can sign up for a maximum of 2 clubs per year. There is a fee for joining each class which varies by activity.

The list of clubs this year includes, archery, cooking, , engineering, gardening, LEGO robotics, crafts, outdoor exploration, civic service, and sewing. Students can also join clubs that encourage exploration in multiple areas. Club members meet with an adult leader each month during the school year to plan activities and programs.

For the 2022-2023 school year, the full list of clubs and their age ranges are as follows:

• Archery Club, grades 4 and up

• Cooking Club, grades 4 and up

• Engineering Club, grades 4 – 5

• Gardening Club, grades 4 and up

• LEGO Robotics Club with LEGO Robotics MindStorms kits, grades 5 and 6

• Craft Club, grades 4 and up

• Outdoors Club, grades 5 – 9

• 4-H Service Club, grades 8 – 12

• Sewing Club, grades 6 and up

• 4-H Club for exploring different skills and hobbies, grades 1-3

Union County 4-H is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 4-H program. The largest youth development program in the country, 4-H began as a way to encourage young people in rural communities to learn about innovative new farming practices. The focus on innovation and leadership continues to the present day, through age-appropriate topics and activities.

In Union County, 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County as part of the Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station. It is supported in part by the Union County Board of County Commissioners, with offices at the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

For more information about all Union County Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Tree Stewards, and Master Gardeners, visit ucnj.org/rce.

More information about 4-H in New Jersey is available at nj4h.rutgers.edu.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.