Tuesday, October 20, 2009
H1N1 flu vaccinations begin this week for area school-age children
Vaccinations begin Wednesday at five public schools in the New River Valley. The Alleghany/Roanoke City Health Districts will offer first-come, first-served clinics for elementary-age children Thursday at health department offices in Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt County and Covington.
Updated at 4:04 p.m.:
Production delays for 2009 H1N1 vaccine pushed the Alleghany/Roanoke City Health Districts back to the blackboard this week.
For the time being, instead of vaccinating school-aged children during on-site school clinics – starting with elementary schools -- the districts plan first-come, first-served vaccination clinics Thursday at district offices in Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt County and Covington.
The vaccinations for these younger students will occur between 3 and 8 p.m. and be offered by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment for health departments in Roanoke, Salem and Botetourt County, call 857-7634. To schedule an appointment for Covington and Alleghany County call (540) 962-2173, extension 119.
Dr. Stephanie Harper, director of the Alleghany/Roanoke City Health Districts said Tuesday that the on-site school clinics will begin once vaccine stocks are replenished. She said that will probably happen within the next two weeks.
“The actual dates are a moving target right now,” Harper said.
She said she had hoped the school clinics in her districts would begin this week.
Vaccinations will go to younger children first, in part because children 9 years old and younger will require two doses of vaccine, about one month apart, to be adequately protected.
She emphasized that the H1N1 vaccinations are voluntary and not required either by the health department or schools.
Posted at 12:46 p.m.:
H1N1 flu vaccinations begin at New River Valley public schools
Vaccinations begin Wednesday for lower grades at five schools in the New River Health District — two elementary schools in Floyd County, two elementary/middle schools in Giles County and one elementary school in Montgomery County.
In Floyd County, the schools are Willis Elementary and Indian Valley Elementary. In Giles County, they are Macy McClaugherty Elementary/Middle School and Eastern Elementary Elementary/Middle School. In Montgomery County the school clinic will be at Margaret Beeks Elementary.
Vaccinations against 2009 H1N1 for students in the New River Health District will go first to younger students in lower grades. H1N1 is commonly referred to as “swine flu.”
At least two realities support the focus on younger students, said Dr. Jody Hershey, director of the New River Health District.
First, children 9 years old and younger will need two doses of the vaccine, spaced about one month apart. They also fall within one of several risk groups — from age 6 months through 24 years old – for coming down with this highly contagious flu strain.
Hershey said enough vaccine is available for students at these schools but that low supplies of H1N1 vaccine could alter the schedule of other upcoming school clinics in the New River Valley.
“Our previous plans for vaccination, including our plans for school-based clinics, are being revised due to slower than expected release of vaccine,” he said. “As a result, it may take us longer to complete our school-based vaccination efforts.”
Only flu shots containing the preservative thimerosal will be offered in the New River Valley school-based clinics, Hershey said.
“If parents prefer that their child receive another form of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine – such as the nasal spray – they should contact their primary health care provider or their local health department.”
Production delays for 2009 H1N1 vaccine pushed the Alleghany/Roanoke City Health Districts back to the blackboard this week.
For the time being, instead of vaccinating school-aged children during on-site school clinics – starting with elementary schools -- the districts plan first-come, first-served vaccination clinics Thursday at district offices in Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt County and Covington.
The vaccinations for these younger students will occur between 3 and 8 p.m. and be offered by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment for health departments in Roanoke, Salem and Botetourt County, call 857-7634. To schedule an appointment for Covington and Alleghany County call (540) 962-2173, extension 119.
Dr. Stephanie Harper, director of the Alleghany/Roanoke City Health Districts said Tuesday that the on-site school clinics will begin once vaccine stocks are replenished. She said that will probably happen within the next two weeks.
“The actual dates are a moving target right now,” Harper said.
She said she had hoped the school clinics in her districts would begin this week.
Vaccinations will go to younger children first, in part because children 9 years old and younger will require two doses of vaccine, about one month apart, to be adequately protected.
She emphasized that the H1N1 vaccinations are voluntary and not required either by the health department or schools.
Posted at 12:46 p.m.:
H1N1 flu vaccinations begin at New River Valley public schools
Vaccinations begin Wednesday for lower grades at five schools in the New River Health District — two elementary schools in Floyd County, two elementary/middle schools in Giles County and one elementary school in Montgomery County.
In Floyd County, the schools are Willis Elementary and Indian Valley Elementary. In Giles County, they are Macy McClaugherty Elementary/Middle School and Eastern Elementary Elementary/Middle School. In Montgomery County the school clinic will be at Margaret Beeks Elementary.
Vaccinations against 2009 H1N1 for students in the New River Health District will go first to younger students in lower grades. H1N1 is commonly referred to as “swine flu.”
At least two realities support the focus on younger students, said Dr. Jody Hershey, director of the New River Health District.
First, children 9 years old and younger will need two doses of the vaccine, spaced about one month apart. They also fall within one of several risk groups — from age 6 months through 24 years old – for coming down with this highly contagious flu strain.
Hershey said enough vaccine is available for students at these schools but that low supplies of H1N1 vaccine could alter the schedule of other upcoming school clinics in the New River Valley.
“Our previous plans for vaccination, including our plans for school-based clinics, are being revised due to slower than expected release of vaccine,” he said. “As a result, it may take us longer to complete our school-based vaccination efforts.”
Only flu shots containing the preservative thimerosal will be offered in the New River Valley school-based clinics, Hershey said.
“If parents prefer that their child receive another form of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine – such as the nasal spray – they should contact their primary health care provider or their local health department.”
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