Local News
Flu clinics coming to schools
By Trent MooreLocal schools could become temporary flu vaccination sites soon.
With the H1N1 swine flu strain already beginning to spread around Cullman County, the department of public health is working with local school systems to make flu vaccinations as widely available as possible.
“Based on the CDC’s recommendation, we are working with the school systems to take the H1N1 vaccine to the schools,” Cullman County Health Department Clinic Supervisor Crystal Page. “We offered our assistance and they all seemed agreeable in working together to make that happen.”
The concept has been under consideration for some time, as the health department held a mock flu vaccine clinic in April at West Point Middle School in anticipation of flu season.
A handful of schools will likely be chosen a few at a time, Page said, depending on their accessibility around the county.
“It is going to be strategic, depending on the location and size of the community,” she said. “We also have the possibility of opening up certain hours for school children, then certain hours for people in the community.”
Page said she would like to have the clinics operational sometime in October.
“That’s what we’re looking at, tentatively,” she said. “We’re really going to need community support.”
By partnering with the schools, a larger distribution network will be created to disseminate the vaccine faster, Page said.
“The target age is 6 months to 24-years-old,” she said. “The vaccination will be optional, and we’ll have to have a signed consent form from the parents ... The discussion right now is that the vaccine will be free, but there are still so many things up-in-the-air right now.”
Cullman County Board of Education Superintendent Hank Allen said the county school system will do everything possible to work with the health department on the project.
“We will provide the facility and they will provide the guidance,” he said. “We’re looking at having all the schools being used at one point or another. We feel the convenience would be good for the students and the community.”
Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris said nurses will likely stay late at the immunization sites to provide immunization for the general public, as well.
“Nurses who have been approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health will stay in the afternoon to let people come in after school to get the immunization,” she said.
Cullman Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little said the local EMA would also be involved in the project in a support role.
“We will help with any outside assistance they might need with traffic control, or work with law enforcement,” she said.
As of August 27, Alabama has 1,587 confirmed cases of novel H1N1 influenza, bringing the total number of probable and confirmed cases in the state to 1,621, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Eight cases have been laboratory confirmed in Cullman County. Three deaths have been associated with the novel H1N1 influenza virus in Alabama.
‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
- Local News
-
-
Local woman in fight of her life after cancer diagnosis
As with most young couples, Michael and Marilyn Breeden looked forward to an exciting life together.
-
Local woman in fight of her life after cancer diagnosis
As with most young couples, Michael and Marilyn Breeden looked forward to an exciting life together.
-
Cares and Shares Food Drive receives more than 24,000 pounds of food
The Cullman Cares and Shares Food Drive was a success and brought in more than the expected amounts of food.
-
Alabama Power ‘has no position’ on water issue
Smith Lake operator Alabama Power has issued a letter stating the utilities company “has no position” in the ongoing debate over a secondary water source for the area.
-
Manufacturing suspended at Inland Building
Manufacturing operations at Inland Building Systems have been suspended temporarily, resulting in the loss of approximately 40 Cullman jobs related to metal manufacturing at the Cullman plant.
-
Good Hope man arrested for marijuana trafficking
A Good Hope man is behind bars after deputies allegedly recovered $88,000 in marijuana plants and a small amount of methamphetamine at his home on Harbison Drive.
-
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
Train vs. car, no one injured
Sean Hart, 32, had driven County Road 917 at least a hundred times to reach his Johnson’s Crossing home, but Thursday afternoon was different.
-
Wrong number leads to drug arrest
If you’re calling someone to set up a drug buy, it’s important to make sure you dial the correct number first.
-
Taste of Cullman event raises $8,000
The annual Taste of Cullman event raised approximately $8,000 for the Cullman County United Way Tuesday night.
-
School H1N1 clinics to start Mon.
Local schools will begin hosting free H1N1 swine flu vaccine clinics next week for elementary students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
