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Hamilton Health Department outlines vaccine guidance, bird-flu monitoring and community programs
Summary
At the March 10 meeting, Health Director Kathleen Fitzgerald and Health Officer Christopher Hellwig reviewed the division's services, recent federal vaccine-recommendation changes (noting New Jersey still requires 17 routine vaccines), renewed bird-flu monitoring in surrounding counties and a variety of wellness programs and clinic statistics.
Hamilton Township’s Division of Health, Recreation, Senior & Veteran Services presented a summary of programs, staffing needs and emerging public-health concerns at the March 10 council meeting.
Director Kathleen Fitzgerald outlined the division’s structure, which includes nursing, public-health services, consumer and environmental services, vital statistics, licensing and animal control. She told the council the Health Department’s annual report is available on the township website for residents seeking more detail.
Health Officer Christopher Hellwig said federal vaccine recommendations have recently changed but emphasized New Jersey still requires all 17 routine childhood vaccines. He said the department conducts school and daycare audits to ensure compliance and that New Jersey permits only medical or religious vaccine exemptions, not philosophical exemptions.
Hellwig also summarized dietary-guideline updates and said the township’s wellness programming is restarting: the department’s Wellness Walk series resumes Wednesday, March 11, with an indoor session at the YMCA and other offerings planned through the year. He reported declines in attendance at the STD clinic and the childhood immunization clinic and said inspectors completed more restaurant and public-bathing inspections in 2025, with several bathing facilities closed temporarily for water failures.
Regarding infectious-disease surveillance, Hellwig reported increased avian influenza activity in neighboring counties but said there were no human cases in New Jersey and that risk to people without contact with wild birds remains low.
Fitzgerald and Hellwig also noted staffing needs: the Health Department has an open nurse position because of retirement and several part-time animal-attendant roles. Fitzgerald highlighted that the department had recently received a letter from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to accreditation; she said Hamilton was one of six health departments nationwide to receive that notice.
The presentation closed with staff encouraging residents to consult the department’s online resources and sign up for programs through the township’s calendar. The council did not take formal action on the presentation; materials and the annual report are available on the township website.
