Cranbury, Jamesburg and Monroe accepting registration forms until 1 p.m. Monday
By:Josh Appelbaum
Cranbury, Jamesburg and Monroe residents 65 and older can register for an influenza vaccine lottery at Town Hall today (Friday) and Monday. Those selected in the lottery will be immunized during a countywide flu clinic to be held Nov. 22.
Representatives from Middlesex County will be collecting registration forms from Cranbury residents for the lottery drawing, which will occur Tuesday. Those selected for the clinic will be notified by the county Public Health Department.
Registration started Wednesday, and will continue today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday’s registration is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 p.m., at which time the ballot box will be removed from Cranbury Town Hall, Jamesburg Borough Hall and the Monroe Senior Center.
According to the Public Health Department, 520 vaccines will be set aside for subsequent lotteries for residents under 65 who are chronically ill, and at a high risk for infection.
Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel said in a written statement that as a result of an extreme shortage amounting to about 42 percent of last year’s stock his office is distributing vaccine "in the most fair and equitable way possible."
The statement said news of the contamination of flu vaccines ordered from California-based Chiron Corp, which produced the serum in Great Britain, came very late in the flu season cycle and left the federal government without a contingency plan.
Mr. Crabiel said the county will search for alternative sources of FDA-approved vaccine and those not chosen in the first lottery will be eligible for subsequent lotteries.
Freeholder John Pulomena, chairman of the Public Health and Education Committee, said lotteries will prevent hours-long waits for vaccines at private clinics and doctors’ offices.
Area residents picked in the lottery will report to the Monroe Senior Center at 1 Municipal Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22. Residents must bring identification for proof of age and residency.
For more information, please contact the you local township or borough clerk.

