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G.I. Public Schools planning H1N1 vaccination clinics
Parents of Grand Island Public Schools students will receive information and consent forms this week from the school district concerning upcoming free H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics that will be offered for students.
The Central District Health Department and school district are working together to provide the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, said Robin Dexter, assistant superintendent for student services for the Grand Island Public Schools.
Included in the information is a vaccine consent form for parents to sign and return to their children's school by Oct. 19, so that officials can determine how much vaccine will be needed. The vaccine consent form includes options allowing parents to either accept or refuse the vaccination for their children.
Vaccinations will only be given to children whose parents give consent and return signed consent forms indicating they accept the vaccination option. If, at any time, parents change their minds about having their children vaccinated, they can contact their children's school to withdraw consent.
The school district will have vaccination clinics this fall as soon as the vaccine is on hand. School staff members will let parents know when the vaccination clinics will occur. Central District Health Department providers will administer the vaccine, and based on current projections, it is likely the nasal spray version of the vaccine will be provided at the clinics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that children and young adults age 6 months through 24 years be vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 as soon as the vaccine is available.
Children under the age of 10 years are expected to need two doses of vaccine spaced about three to four weeks apart. Students 10 years of age through adults will need one dose.
Anyone with questions about the vaccine or vaccination clinics is asked to call the Central District Health Department at 385-5175 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information is also available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's H1N1 influenza Web site at [ http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ ]www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ for more information.
Children's health care providers also can answer questions about the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and may have H1N1 vaccine available for the children. As the vaccine becomes available, other options to receive the vaccine will be publicized.
For more information, contact: Dr. Robin Dexter, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Grand Island Public Schools, (308) 385-5900,
rdexter@gips.org; Ryan King, Assistant Executive Director, Central District Health Department, (308) 385-5175, rking@cdhd.ne.gov
It is the policy of the Grand Island Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, religion, or marital status in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title VI, Title IX, &Section 504.EOE/AA.