Manatee announces H1N1 vaccination schedule

The Manatee County Health Department, in continued cooperation with Manatee County Public Schools, has announced the November and December public school clinics to provide H1N1 flu immunizations to elementary students.

The vaccine will be available to East County students at the following times and dates:

November
Myakka Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Nov. 20
Gullett Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Nov. 20

December
McNeal Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Dec. 1
Willis Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Dec. 3
Witt Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Dec. 3
Bashaw Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Dec. 14
Tara Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Dec. 15
Rowlett Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m., Dec. 15

Health department staff will provide the vaccines in schools to students enrolled in these schools whose parents or guardians are present with signed consent forms. Parental consent forms and information packets have been distributed to all Manatee students. Elementary home-schooled students may participate at any scheduled elementary school clinic. All elementary school students must have a parent or guardian present to receive the vaccination.

The packets contain the consent form, an assessment parents will fill out to determine if their child can receive the H1N1 flu vaccine and vaccine information sheets that explain the risks and contraindications associated with any immunization. Parents who want their children to receive the vaccine are required to return the consent forms to their school. Parents who do not wish to have their children vaccinated can simply not return the form. Parents should read all of the information in the packet and consult their primary care provider if they have questions concerning the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Additional consent forms are available on YourObserver.com by clicking here. They also will be available at clinic sites.

Children under age 10 are required to receive a second dose of the vaccine. A second clinic will be held at each school after 21 to 28 days. Many parents may also opt to have their child vaccinated at their physician’s office.

“We are targeting our elementary students first as they have been identified as more at risk than middle- and high-school-age students, as indicated in Manatee County’s laboratory syndromic surveillance data," said Dr. Jennifer Bencie, administrator, Manatee County Health Department. "We expect to complete H1N1 vaccination clinics at all of the public elementary school clinics before the December holidays. Additional schools may be added to the listing, in accordance to the availability of the vaccine."

Parents and the community can monitor the district’s Web site for updates.