Marion Co. to host H1N1 clinics for schools

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Marion County Health Department announced Tuesday H1N1 flu vaccine clinics for local schools will begin on Monday November 9.

At IPS 69, staff members were busy Tuesday putting together H1N1 information packets for the parents. The packets included a consent form that must be returned by Thursday.

“We have a team to get the paperwork out to the parents to make sure they understand the necessary forms they need to return to us so they will be able to get the shot here at the building on Monday. The form is very comprehensive. It has a lot of detail on it. We have a team to check the form as soon as they come back to make sure everything is filled out correctly and we have the proper information,” said Principal Sue Fries.

Health officials said the school based clinic plan is based on projected shipments of vaccine. Delays or decreases in those shipments could cause clinics to be delayed.

Along with IPS, elementary schools in Decatur, Pike, Perry, Wayne, Washington and Warren Townships, and Speedway Schools will be involved in the first of a series of clinics for school-aged children. IPS and the seven other school systems are involved because they agreed to host clinics during school hours.

Students in Lawrence and Franklin Townships and Beech Grove schools will receive the vaccine, but not during school hours. Those clinic details have not been finalized. Private, parochial, charter and other schools are part of the plan and details on clinics for those children are being finalized.

“It is critical those parents and guardians wanting their children vaccinated sign and immediately return the consent form. We must have the signed form in order to give the vaccine. The consent forms are also important because they will determine how much vaccine will be needed at each clinic site,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director, Marion County Health Department.

Based on participation at each school, health officials will announce later in the month when those students ages 9 and under can receive the second of the required two H1N1 vaccinations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that two doses of the H1N1 vaccine are needed for those ages 6 months old to 9 years old to provide maximum protection against the virus.

Nurses will work at one township and one IPS elementary school each day. The goal is to complete elementary schools by November 20.

During the week of November 30, middle and high school students in the four townships and IPS will be vaccinated.

The Marion County Health Department would like to have the school-aged children vaccinated before the traditional Christmas break.

The vaccination plan covers all 161,480 students in the county.