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January 2008 TRENTON — New Jersey became the first state to require influenza vaccination for children of preschool age following approval by a public health advisory board in December. The board came to a 5-2 vote in favor of the approval, with one abstention. The New Jersey Public Health Council now requires that all children who attend preschool or a licensed day care center receive an annual influenza shot. Three additional mandates require that children attending preschoolreceive the pneumococcal vaccine and that children in sixth grade receive the meningitis vaccine and a diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis booster. The mandates were approved by state health department officials and Gov. Jon S. Corzine, and recievedfinal approval from health commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, MD, JD on Dec. 17, 2007. The rule will go into effect in September of this year In other news, 97% of the state’s schools are in compliance with New Jersey’s Model School Nutrition Policy. Gov. Corzine signed the policy into law in February 2007. The nutrition standards apply to all public schools. For instance, snack and beverage items sold or served anywhere on school property during the school day, including items sold in a la carte lines, vending machines, snack bars, school stores and fundraisers, must meet these standards. According to the policy, snack foods can have no more than 8 grams of total fat per serving, with the exception of nuts and seeds, or schools cannot serve candy or any item that lists sugar, in any form, as its first ingredient. In elementary schools, the guidelines state that all beverages served must be milk, water or fruit or vegetable juices that are 100% fruit or vegetable juice. In middle schools or high schools, at least 60% of all beverages offered, besides milk and water, must be 100% fruit or vegetable juices. For nonpublic schools, these regulations only apply if the school participates in any of the federally-funded child nutrition programs. |
