Created on Monday, 16 November 2009 13:37
Contact: Collette DuValle, 317-373-2391
Health Department Begins Second Week Of School Based H1N1 Clinics
The Marion County Health Department vaccinated more than 15,100 elementary aged students during the first week of its school based H1N1 flu clinics. Health department nurses and nurses from Clarian, Community and several area nursing agencies averaged vaccinating more than 3,000 students a day.
The second week of school-based vaccinations began today with 3,600 students being vaccinated.
Parents and guardians of elementary, middle and high school students are receiving information letters and consent forms. These forms need to be completed, signed and returned by the due date in order for the student to receive the vaccine. The consent forms are also used to allocate vaccine for each school.
The health department will continue focusing on elementary schools this week. Middle and high school students will begin receiving the H1N1 vaccine the week of November 30.
Several school systems have scheduled after school hours vaccine clinics for their students. Parents and guardians should contact the school or the health department’s 221-3366 Flu Helpline for information about the flu clinics.
Local health officials ask parents and guardians to ensure their students eat prior to getting the vaccine. Students are also asked to wear short sleeve shirts so nurses have easy access to administer the injectable form of the vaccine. The mist form of the vaccine is also being administered.