Now that the H1N1 flu vaccine is becoming available, schools are trying to get a hold of it. KSMU’s Adam Hammons has more on how local public schools will be giving vaccinations to students.
With this year’s addition of the H1N1 virus, the flu season could be the worst it has ever been.
That’s why some public schools in the area are taking action to prevent this new flu strain from gaining ground. Zac Rantz, the spokesman for Nixa Public Schools, says the Nixa school district is sending out a survey to see how many parents would want their kids vaccinated for H1N1 at school.
“We are going to allow parents who would like their children to be vaccinated to have that done at school, that way they don’t have to go to a public clinic. It’s a lot easier for the parents.”
Rantz went on to say that even though the vaccinations will be given at school, it will be the Christian County Health Department that will be administering the vaccine.
Other school districts have not received any vaccinations as of yet, but Jean Grabeel the coordinator of health services for Springfield Public Schools, says Springfield is making preparations for when they do get them.
“It’s a matter of waiting to see how many we’re going to get, and then initiating clinics once we get parental consent.”
Grabeel said the school district will likely begin administering the vaccine to children whose parents have given their permission around the third or fourth week of October.
For KSMU News, I’m Adam Hammons.
