"Nassau County - Long Island, New York"

Mineola, NY – With the potential for individuals to suffer cuts or deep wounds during cleanup efforts from Hurricane Sandy, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein have announced the availability of free tetanus vaccinations for those working with storm debris.

The tetanus vaccine is given to guard against infections from bacteria that may be present in soil, dust and manure and can enter the body through a puncture wound or cut. Adults involved in the cleanup projects are advised by the county’s Department of Health to ensure that they have been immunized for tetanus within the last 10 years and to receive a tetanus booster if they have not. For those who are unsure about the date of their last tetanus shot, receiving a Tdap (tetanus diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis) will provide adequate protection.

The Nassau County Health Department will offer the free tetanus vaccine as follows:

2-12 W. Park Avenue, Suite 200, Long Beach

Tuesday, Dece3mber 11, 2-12 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Church of the Nazarene

Little Pebbles Building

133 Ocean Avenue (corner of Ocean Avenue & Garfield Place), East Rockaway

Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

For additional information on the tetanus vaccination clinics, please call the Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9496. Information is also available on the New York State Department of Health website: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/tetanus/fact_sheet.htm.

Mangano and Eisenstein Offer Tetanus Vaccine for Hurricane Sandy Relief Workers