Children whose parents have consent forms on file at their schools will be eligible to receive free H1N1 vaccinations as long as supplies last, according to information from public health nurse Renee Hively of the Lyon County Health Department and Flint Hills Community Health Center.
Hively and nursing staff at the department began holding inoculation clinics at schools this morning. The staff, assigned the task of inoculating children at 24 area schools, began today at St. Joseph’s School in Olpe and William Allen White and Maynard in Emporia, then followed in the afternoon with Americus and a second round of the clinic at Maynard.
“Hopefully, we’ll have enough vaccine coming to support that many clinics in our aggressive schedule,” Hively said.
Initially, state and national health officials had hoped to hold the vaccine clinics early, before the onslaught of the flu season.
“But there wasn’t enough vaccine to be able to even think about that,” she said.
Hively was uncertain how many youngsters would be lined up for inoculations at each school. Though many parents have had signed consent forms on file for some time, some parents are undecided or not in favor of their children receiving the vaccine.
“There’s still that fear factor of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine,” she said. “Other parents are just dying to have their child vaccinated.”
The health center has made progress in inoculating pregnant women, she said, and others who are high-risk or deal with high-risk adults and children on a routine basis. Hively said that she is expecting more vaccine shipments, but could not predict whether the boxes would contain mist or injection vaccines.
“Obviously we would like to be able to offer flu mist to all of those little kids but right now I don’t have any available,” she said.
Hively said that staff will take laptops with them to the school clinics, to check whether children already had been vaccinated or needed a second dose.
The remainder of the clinics at schools are scheduled at these times:
Thursday — 9 to 11 a.m., Neosho Rapids and Riverside; 1 to 3 p.m., Lowther South Intermediate School.
Nov. 24 — 9 to 11 a.m., Walnut School and the Emporia Christian School; 1 to 3 p.m., Logan Avenue.
Dec. 1 — 9 to 11 a.m., Lowther North Intermediate School and Olpe Elementary; 1 to 3 p.m., Village and Sacred Heart schools.
Dec. 3 — 9 to 11 a.m., Admire and Emporia Middle School; 1 to 3 p.m., Hartford High and Junior High and Timmerman.
Dec. 8 — 9 to 11 a.m., Emporia High School; 1 to 3 p.m., Reading and Turning Point Learning Center.
Dec. 10 — 9 to 11 a.m., Olpe Junior and Senior Highs and Northern Heights High School; 1 to 3 p.m., The Learning Center.
Parents or guardians who have questions about the clinics may call Hively at 342-4864, Ext. 3747, or visit the LCHD Web site at www.flinthillshealth.org.
Having staff at schools to give vaccines is causing the health center to close the Public Health clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 10.
Bryant (anonymous) says...
Again,
My three year old recieved his shot on Nov. 29th. The department said to come back in one month to get the 2nd shot. The month ends while the clinic is at the schools.
What am I to do with my son?
November 17, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I called the health dept. and got a recording and left a message but haven't heard back yet. I'm in the same boat with my 4 year old with asthma needing his second shot next week.
November 17, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bryant (anonymous) says...
I called as well. Still waiting to hear a response.
It's not a big deal as long as we can still take our three year old into one of these schools.
He got the vaccine on Oct 29th..and they know that the month is about to end. They should at the very least inform those of us who are expecting a 2nd dose on what's available.
November 17, 2009 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I left a second message with the immunization nurse. She called me back. Those who got shots on Oct. 29th can get the 2nd dose Monday Nov. 30th. They'll have 1 nurse giving shots during their regular hours. Could the Gazette please post this information for everyone? There was a lot of kids under 5 in line with me that day. Thanks.
November 18, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waltzingalong (anonymous) says...
My 1 year old got his first vaccine on November 5th. This also presents a problem for us. Has anyone heard if they will make arrangements for the second dose for this group? I know there were many in line for quite a while along with us.
November 19, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )