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December 28, 2009

Participation low at school H1N1 clinics

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Less than 10 percent of eligible students participated in the first round of H1N1 swine flu vaccination clinics in Cullman County and city schools in recent weeks.

“I think we didn’t have as good of a turnout as we anticipated,” Cullman County Health Department Clinic Supervisor Crystal Page said. “But, everything went really well.”

The nasal mist vaccine was offered to students 9-years-old and younger at virtually all elementary and primary schools in the city and county, though many parents elected not to have their children participate.

Cullman County Board of Education school nurse Beth Brock said the amount of students who took advantage of the free vaccine in county schools was approximately 10 percent.

“We didn’t have as much participation as we had hoped,” she said.

Luanne Reid, nursing supervisor for Cullman City Schools, said participation was lower than 10 percent.

Reid said she believes some children may have already gotten the vaccine before it was offered at school.

“We don’t really know if some children may have taken the vaccine at their own doctor, or at the health department before these were offered,” she said.

Brock said some parents were hesitant about giving their children the vaccine due to how it is manufactured.

“Some parents were concerned about it because it was the live vaccine,” she said.

The mist vaccine uses a weakened, live sample of the virus as part of the vaccination process.

For children 9-years-old and younger, two doses of the vaccine are required for full vaccination. Page said the health department is working to schedule dates in early 2010 for a second round of mist vaccine clinics.

“We don’t have the schedule made yet, but we’re looking at February,” she said.

School-based clinics for children 10-years-old and above is also in the works, Page said.

“We’re going to do that in January and offer the injectable vaccine,” she said. “We’re still working on that specific schedule.”

Permissions slips for students should be sent home in the coming weeks if any parents want their children to participate.

“These clinics are all voluntary,” Reid said.

Schools that hosted the initial round of mist vaccine clinics include: East Elementary School, Cullman Primary School, Cullman Christian School, Cold Springs Elementary School, West Elementary School, Fairview Elementary School, Parkside School, Vinemont Elementary School, Sacred Heart School, Good Hope Primary and Elementary Schools, Hanceville Elementary School, Garden City Elementary School, Holly Pond Elementary School, Welti School, West Point School and Harmony School.



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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