Merchantville Online is proud to celebrate National Nurses Week 2026, recognizing the invaluable contributions nurses make in healthcare and our lives while addressing the real-life challenges they face every day. This year, as the American Nurses Association celebrates their 130th Anniversary as America celebrates its 250th, we are honored to play a key role in elevating nurse voices, stories, awareness, engagement and local celebrations in coordination with
Tick Activity Emerges Early
Camden County health officials say they typically see a spike in ticks during the spring, but usually not until May. This year, however, they are already seeing more people seeking medical care after finding ticks on themselves."We are seeing them spiking a little earlier this year than in previous years across both the overall burden of disease and through ER visits," said Caryelle Vilaubi, director of the Camden County
Flu Hitting Harder in 2025
Flu hitting harder and earlier than past 2 years and levels in New Jersey are already at ‘very high.’ Emergency department visits and admissions continue to rise for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, with influenza showing the sharpest increase. The majority of emergency department visits that resulted in admissions associated with COVID-19 and influenza have been reported in persons 65 years and older, and with RSV, have been reported in persons aged 0-4 years
Vaccines Don't Cause Autism
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025 the CDC website made several false claims about a connection between vaccines and autism, echoing rhetoric from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a lengthy history of disparaging vaccines and linking them to autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its website to contradict the long-settled scientific conclusion that vaccines do not cause autism, shocking career scientists,
AAP 2026 Child Vax Schedule
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its 2026 childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, which continues to recommend routine protection against 18 diseases. The AAP's schedule differs from the CDC's schedule, which was recently downsized. Sean O'Leary, MD, MPH, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, and colleagues noted in a policy statement published in Pediatrics that, "At this time, the AAP no longer endorses
NJ Newborn Safety Net Maintained
Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration announced Friday that New Jersey will continue to recommend the hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns at birth even though a panel appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and aligned with his views voted to change the policy. Acting state Department of Health Commissioner Jeffrey A. Brown issued an executive directive continuing to recommend all newborns in New Jersey receive one dose
Mayors Wellness Health Fair
Join us on Saturday, November 8th, from 1:00-5:00 p.m at Ryan's Retail for Merchantville's 2025 Health Fair. As a of the NJ Mayors Wellness Campaign's designee as an Up and Coming Healthy Town, Mayor Brennan, encourages all residents to participate in this community health initiative event. There will be demonstrations on: Chair Massage; Relaxation/Healthy Care Techniques; and, Healthy Habits. Local providers will offer Health/Wellness Coaching;