HSE to vaccinate 20K students & staff

FISHERS (WISH) - A number of school districts are gearing up H1N1 flu shot clinics for students, but the virus first struck Central Indiana months ago.

Hamilton Southeastern will have its clinics during the first week of November. Tuesday night, parents attended a meeting to get more information about the shot and determine whether their child should get it.

"He has respiratory issues as it is, so I just want to make sure he's protected," said concerned mother, Angie Williams.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children receive the shot, but not everyone is convinced.

"I'm just afraid of the reaction they could get," said another parent.

A number of schools, including Edinburgh and Heritage Christian, temporarily closed because of a high absentee rate possibly linked to H1N1. Within the HSE district, Fall Creek Intermediate School reported more than 20 percent of students absent earlier this month. The school didn't close, but the district did point to H1N1 as a primary factor for the widespread illness.

Dr. Douglas Webb of the Clarion Health Network said students should still get vaccinated.

"I think the vast number of kids have not been exposed," he said.

The district plans to vaccinate 20,000 students and staff members. They would like for as many students as possible to get vaccinated but, in the end, they said it's the parents' choice.

"For flu to hit this early, flu season doesn't really peak until February, so this may be a chance to avoid kids from getting sick later on," said HSE District representative, Mike Beresford.

But Dr. Webb said it would have been nice to have the vaccine available about a month ago.

The CDC has acknowledged distribution of the H1N1 shot is behind schedule, but the vaccination recommendation stands. And many parents plan to take advantage of HSE's convenient clinics.

"I think it's great," said Williams. "Otherwise, I think a lot of kids won't be able to get it."

The H1N1 flu shot permission slips are due at all Hamilton Southeastern schools Wednesday.