Public school swine flu vaccinations set to begin

The vaccine is in, and Dothan City Schools and other public school systems are set to begin swine flu immunization clinics.

Flu clinics

Flu clinics at the Dothan City Schools will begin Nov. 30 and run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The immunization clinic schedule is as follows:

Nov. 30 - Highlands Elementary School and Montana Magnet School

Dec. 1 - Grandview Elementary School, Cloverdale Elementary School, Landmark Elementary School and Heard Magnet School

Dec. 2 - Girard Elementary School, Faine Elementary School, PASS Academy, Hidden Lake Elementary School, Kelly Springs Elementary School, Selma Street Elementary School

Dec. 4 - Head Start

After several production-related delays, public school systems across the state are ready to begin an initial round of swine flu immunizations. The immunizations are targeted at younger students, and will consist of a nasal spray rather than a shot.

Thirty-one people have died from swine flu in Alabama this year. Children are considered to be at an elevated risk from the illness.

The public school vaccinations will be free of charge, and are being given on a voluntary basis.

“We’re not making recommendations,” Dothan City School Superintendent Sam Nichols said. “That’s something each parent will have to decide on their own. Each parent should consult with their pediatrician.”

Nichols said the city schools have sent out permission slips for the vaccination clinics, which will begin on Nov. 30. Nichols said while the initial clinic will focus on students 9 years old or younger, later clinics will immunize older students. Nichols expects the next round of immunizations will occur in January.

Dianne Hooper, a spokesperson for the Houston County Schools, said her system has also begun obtaining parental consent for the immunizations, and hopes that parents will quickly return permission slips.

“It helps with scheduling and letting them know how many doses to bring with them,” she said.

Allyson Morgan, secondary curriculum director, said during the city schools’ immunization clinics, parents are invited to be present when their children are immunized.

“Parents are welcome to come if they want and walk with their students through the clinic,” she said.