For Immediate Release

NOT TOO LATE TO GET VACCINATED

Councilman Ramos Joins the Fight against Influenza

Newark, NJ – December 15, 2008 – North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. partnered with St. Michael's Medical Center on Saturday, December 13 to offer free flu shots to Newark adults at the hospital's Columbus Campus. Councilman Ramos hopes that by offering free flu shots, he can aid the reduction of illnesses among local residents.

“Very often people think that only children need to be vaccinated but influenza and respiratory diseases have been known to kill adults and seniors alike," says Ramos. On average 226,000 people are hospitalized every year with flu related illnesses and 36,000 die from similar causes according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Councilman Ramos joined other North Ward residents in line to receive his vaccination. St. Michael's offered 200 free flu shots to Newark residents. Luis Segarra, a North Ward resident brought along his friends Rosa Luna, and Jonathan Correa to get vaccinated. "I decided to come after I read about the illnesses caused by the [virus] in the newspaper and I wanted to get the shot" said Segarra.

With the heart of flu season two months away there is still time to receive your vaccination. For more information and questions, please contact the Newark Department of Health Immunization Program at (973)733-7580 or visit online at www.cdc.gov/flu

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For more information contact Arrie Ledley, Cole Media, Inc. at (973) 609-2445