SC Public School Districts Soon Offering H1N1 Vaccine

Federal health officials say that H1N1 is now widespread in 48 states around the country.  South Carolina is one of two states which isn’t among them.  Soon, DHEC will be setting up shop in area school districts to help prevent h1n1 from spreading in the Carolinas.

Upstate school districts have signed letters of intent with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control agreeing to allow them to offer H1N1 flu vaccines in public schools.
According to Donna Peeler, Cherokee County School District Coordinator of School Health Services, “They mentioned that they would like a spot that they can set up curtains, so that they child will not be seen my other students.”  Medical professionals will administer those shots for free to faculty and students - only after parents read the information will be sent home about the vaccine and then signed a permission slip.  Peeler says parents should feel safe about children receiving the vaccine at school.  According to Peeler, “DHEC will be there.  They are going to stay longer in each school, just in case there is any kind of reaction.  They will be there.  They have there own kits.“

News Channel 7 asked both Nurse Peeler and DHEC if your child should have the vaccine if he or she has already had H1N1 or you believe he or she may have had it.  They say yes, unless is he or she has been tested and hospitalized for H1N1.

There is a hotline for any questions you have.  The DHEC Flu Hotline number is 1-800-27-SHOTS (1-800-277-4687).

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Laurens School District 55, Lisa Wilson:  “Laurens 55 sent letters and consent forms home last week.  We have asked every parent to respond, even if they are choosing for their child not to participate.  For those who have not responded by Wednesday of this week, we will send a reminder.  We do not have clinics scheduled at this time.  We are working closely with DHEC and are following guidelines set forth by them.”

Cherokee County School District:  “We are monitoring attendance daily.  Principals are submitting reports to Mrs. Peeler regarding flu-like illness.  We have stepped up our cleaning efforts and provided hand sanitizes in each building.  We have had several cases of flu with three H1N1 cases confirmed as a result of hospitalization.  We have not had enough cases to warrant closing any schools or offices. We have received and are preparing to send out the DHEC letters, permission forms, and information sheets regarding vaccination for H1N1
to all students and staff.  The vaccine will be administered in the
schools as an injection. The vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as safe.  Children less than 10 years of age will need a second shot at least 21 days after the first shot.  Even if parents give permission, if a child is unwilling to be vaccinated at the school, the child will not receive the vaccination.”

Union County School District, Dr. David Eubanks, “Union County will offer the vaccine to all staff and students as soon as DHEC makes it available.  It will be administered on a school by school basis as a cooperative venture between DHEC and the school district.”

Spartanburg District 1, Paula Brooks:  “The H1N1 flu illness has been the topic of news and discussion for several months.  The CDC and DHEC are participating in one of the largest efforts to vaccinate school children against a disease since the days when polio vaccinations were commonplace in schools.  All students in the schools will have the opportunity to take the vaccine if parents give permission.  All school districts in Spartanburg County have agreed to let DHEC staff use their facilities to vaccine children whose parents consent for them to be vaccinated at school.  Consent forms must be signed by the parents before students will be vaccinated.  DHEC staff will be administering the vaccine.  At this time, we are not sure when the vaccination program will begin. The first step is to secure parent permission.  Students who are 9 years of age or younger will receive two doses of the vaccine with the second dose being administered at least 21 days after the first. On Tuesday, November 3, all students in the school district will take home a packet of information about the program. This packet will include a consent form that parents can use to indicate if their child will or will not be participating in the program.  Parents are encouraged to call us with questions about the administration of the program.  For questions about the H1N1 vaccine program or the illness, parents are strongly encouraged to talk to their family medical provider.  For more information about this news release contact:  Dr. Trish Beason, District One Schools at 864-472-2846

Spartanburg District 2, Rhonda Henderson, Spokesperson:  “By now, most districts probably have received packets from DHEC to send home (ours is coming). The packets contain a letter from DHEC, a fact sheet about the flu vaccine, and a form for parents to give or deny consent for the shot to be given to the student at school. Dates for the clinics will be set when an adequate supply of vaccine is received. Parents will probably want to know the following:

• The vaccine given at school sites in Spartanburg County will be the shot form for novel H1N1.
• The H1N1 vaccination is free. The vaccination is not required.
• DHEC nurses, not the school nurse, will be administering the vaccinations.
• Shots will be given only to students with completed and signed forms giving consent.
• Wearing short or loose sleeves on the day of the clinic is advised.
• Parents may want to accompany younger students.
• Parents who have questions about the vaccination should consult their family doctor.”

Spartanburg District 3, Jim Ray, Superintendent:  “All of the districts in this region are under a DHEC territory led by Dr. David Goolsby .Therefore, everyone is in the same phase-waiting for consent forms and the clinics.”

Spartanburg District 4, Karen Neal,  “We continue to work with DHEC in planning for the H1N1 vaccine clinics. District 4 will get out consent forms to parents on Tuesday for a return date by next Monday. We will also notify parents through our autodialer system to expect these forms from their child. DHEC will give us a date for the clinic after we receive the consent forms.  We anticipate getting all of our elementary students in one day.  Depending on numbers, we may have a second day for middle and high schoolers.  However, all of our schools could possibly be served in one day.  I will attach our cover letter and copies of the consent form and DHEC letter.  All will also be posted on our website.”

Spartanburg School District 5, Dr. Scott Turner, Superintendent:  “Spartanburg District Five is allowing DHEC to provide H1N1 vaccination clinics within our schools. The vaccination is free, and completely voluntary. The school district will distribute packets of information to each child. The packet will contain: a) an information letter from DHEC regarding the flu vaccine, b) a parental consent form, and c) H1N1 flu information statement sheet. The parents will need to return the permission form to their child’s school. DHEC has not given us specific dates regarding when the clinics will be held. They will begin with elementary schools since the younger children are more susceptible and will require two vaccinations.”

Spartanburg School District 7, Dr. Russell Booker, Superintendent-Elect:  “Our plans are very similar to what you are likely receiving from most districts.  Our district will be providing access for DHEC nurses to administer the vaccines in our schools.  DHEC will be responsible for providing the vaccine and we will be providing logistical assistance.    The shots are voluntary.  We plan to send letters, information regarding the vaccine, and the consent forms home in the very near future (possibly this week).  We have not received word of the dates for the clinic as of yet. “

Oconee and Pickens Counties:  Oconee, Pickens school districts to offer H1N1 vaccine