More Schools Offering Free Swine Flu Vaccinations

Information on free vaccinations in your school district.

Update: 4:30 p.m.

Eventually free swine flu vaccinations will be offered for k-thru-12 schools throughout the region. But the first are Henrico County and Richmond Public Schools. They're sending permission slips home for parents to sign.

Wednesday afternnon at Richmond City Hall Mayor Dwight Jones rolled up his sleeve to receive the H1N1 vaccination. "Oh, that didn't hurt at all." I'ts something he wants all Richmond Public School kids to do. "Getting the vaccine is the best proactive way to prevent the spread of the flu during this season," says Mayor Jones.

The Richmond City Health District is coordinating with the public schools to get free vaccinations at schools starting this Monday.

Dr. Yvonne Brandon, the Richmond School Superintendent, says parents need to sign that permission slip, because she says bottom line here is kid's can't learn if they're at home sick. "We're targeting our elementary population first and that's approximately 15,000 students that we're targeting first. Then we'll move up the ranks through the middle schools and secondary schools."

Richmond joins Henrico county in being the first of Virginia's eight districts to offer free swine flu vaccinations.

"We know if it hasn't gotten here yet, it's on it's way", says Mychael Dickerson, Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson. "And so we want to be prepared. That's why we partnered with the health department to do these vaccines."

Dr. Donald R. Stern, Richmond's City Health Director, says parents should be aware that this H1N1 vaccine is made under the same standards as seasonal flu doses. "This vaccination is an extremely safe and extremely effective vaccine. We encourage parents to sign the permission form and provide for their child to have this vaccination."

Again, this free shot is for the swine flu vaccine. The Richmond Health Department says parents should also get their children vaccinated for the seasonal flu as well. We also got word late this afternoon that the Chesterfield County Health Department is coordinating with the public schools to get their kids vaccinated for free.

If you've got a question about the swine flu we'll have a doctor live on set Thursday on CBS 6 This Morning at 6:30 a.m. E-mail your questions to newstips@wtvr.com and they may be answered on the air.

************************************************************************************** From CBS 6 at Noon

The so-called swine flu virus is proving it can spread quickly in crowded conditions. In fact, it's already disrupting schools across the country. Now that a vaccine is available our local school districts are taking action. They want to give the vaccine to students.

Henrico County is one of the first in our area to offer free h1n1 vaccine to all children in Henrico County Public Schools. The Henrico County Health Department sent notices to parents and guardians that children and young adults ages six months through 24 years be vaccinated against the h1n1 virus.

Parents will have to fill out a consent form or a form declining the shot and return it to their child's school by October 16th. The clinics will start on October 26th and run through November 9th.

Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson Mychael Dickerson says the county is being proactive. "Well, we've known and have known that we're going to have some students and staff members with the illness this year," says Dickerson. "We've seen our absentees up a bit quite frankly, compared to last year, but we know if it hasn't gotten here yet, it's on it's way."

THE FOLLOWIING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH:

News Release 109 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 œ www.vdh.virginia.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2009 For More Information Contact Cheryle Rodriguez (804) 864-8236 Central Region Health Directors Encouraging Parents to fill out H1N1 Vaccination Permission Forms In an effort to protect the health of Central Virginia's children, the area's eight health district directors are encouraging all parents of school-age children to take advantage of the free novel H1N1 vaccination programs being offered in cooperation with K-12 schools throughout the region. The first step to doing so is to complete the novel H1N1 influenza vaccination form being sent home with students. While the vaccination is not mandatory, health officials are advising that everyone consider getting the vaccine. "The most recent vaccine shipment received will allow us to protect the health of our children and young adults who are among the groups most at risk", said Crater Health District Director, Kay Rankin, M.D., MPH. "They are the ones who tend to be in close contact at school and the workplace," Dr. Rankin added. The CDC recommends those between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old be vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available. Other groups at risk are pregnant women, children's care givers, healthcare and emergency personnel. Local health departments and schools are sending out a two page permission form that will require a signature on the front and back of the form. "Filling out the vaccination permission form is the first step for our residents to protect their families and their community," said Richmond Health District Director, Donald Stern, M.D., MPH. Dr. Stern urges parents to complete a form for each student and return them to the school quickly to take advantage of the opportunity for free H1N1 vaccination.

Local health departments are partnering with schools to offer vaccination clinics in the coming days. "Our goal is not only to protect the health of our children but to accommodate our parents' busy schedules by offering clinics at their child's school," said Thomas Jefferson Health District Director, Lilian Peake, M.D., MPH. "We want to make the process as convenient as possible," Dr. Peake added. For those children unable to participate in school-based clinics, novel H1N1 vaccine will also be available through local health departments, private physician offices, and other vaccinators. While free through the health department, a small administration fee may be charged by other vaccinators. The Central Region's eight health districts are Chesterfield, Chickahominy (located in Hanover), Crater (located in Petersburg), Henrico, Thomas Jefferson (located in Charlottesville), Piedmont (located in Farmville), Richmond and Southside (located in Boydton). For more information on the vaccine or the school vaccination clinics, call your local health department or log onto http://www.vdh.virginia.gov and click on novel H1N1 information.