Flu clinics start for K-3 students

By Scott Mims (Contact) | Clanton Advertiser

Published Monday, November 23, 2009

The Chilton County Health Department has set tentative dates for H1N1 influenza clinics in local schools.

The H1N1 vaccines will be administered in the nasal mist form at schools statewide in November and December. A child’s parents must give written permission before he or she can receive the vaccine.

“We’re going to schedule the large schools first,” Clinic Supervisor Ludean Hicks said. “We’re asking parents to get forms back by Nov. 30.”

Clinics will be held on the following dates and locations for K-3 students:

•Dec. 7-8 at Clanton Elementary School from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

•Dec. 9 at Clanton Intermediate School from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

•Dec. 10 at Maplesville School from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

•Dec. 11 at Isabella School from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

•Dec. 14-15 at Jemison Elementary School from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

•Dec. 16 at Thorsby School from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

•Dec. 17 at Verbena School from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Beginning last week, parents started receiving packets containing a vaccine information statement informing them about the vaccine and the disease. The vaccine will be administered at no cost.

Parents whose children have compromised immune systems or long-term health problems are advised to take their children to their physician, another health care provider or county health department to obtain an injectable influenza vaccine.

In addition, children who have close contact with a person with a severely weakened immunized system, such as a person requiring care in a protected environment, should not receive the vaccine in nasal mist form.

Children with the following conditions should not get the nasal mist vaccine:

•Severe, life-threatening allergies to eggs or allergies to any other substance in the vaccine

•Weakened immune system

•Long-term health problems (heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or other metabolic disease, anemia or other blood disorders)

•Muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems

•Children on long-term aspirin treatment

“We strongly encourage parents to be proactive and treat the spread of this disease very seriously,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph Morton said. “This is undoubtedly an instance where prevention is key and our children are depending on us to keep them healthy.”

The goal is to administer local K-3 vaccines by the Christmas holidays. Hicks said vaccines for older students should be available by the first of 2010.

For more information about H1N1 influenza, visit www.adph.org or call 1-877-377-7285.

The Chilton County Health Department may be reached at 755-1287.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---