Students receive H1N1 vaccine

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle’s kindergarten through nine-year-old students had the opportunity to be vaccinated against H1N1 earlier this week.
Students who had parental permission and who were accompanied either by a parent or a designated adult received the spray mist version of the vaccine Nov. 24.
Separate clinics were conducted at Crestline, F.E. Burleson and Barkley Bridge Elementary Schools, and the inoculation procedure was simple— a puff sprayed into each nostril. The clinics were conducted under the supervision of the State Health Department with school nurses assisting. No other follow-ups are scheduled, according to Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed.
Swine flu vaccine clinics will continue next week until the vaccine has been offered to approximately 250,000 students in grades K-3, said Joe Morton, state schools superintendent.
The nasal mist vaccine is the first of two doses needed for children age nine and under, according to Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer. The second dose is given about four weeks later.
The vaccine is being made available free of charge.
State health officials hope the swine flu outbreak, which is in its 12th week, will ease with students being out of school for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. However, Williamson said there’s evidence it’s going to be over anytime soon.
Vaccines are also recommended for pregnant women, healthcare providers or those with other respiratory illnesses.