Williamsburg County schools to offer H1N1 vaccine

The Williamsburg County School District will offer students the H1N1 vaccinations in school, with parental consent, in two weeks.  Here’s the release from the school district:

“Elementary students in Williamsburg County School District will be able to receive H1N1 influenza vaccinations at their school during school hours on November 18-19, 2009. Parental Consent Forms, along with additional information regarding the vaccinations, have been sent home by students. The Department of Health and Environmental Control is offering these swine flu clinics in schools in an attempt to vaccinate more school-age children. Personnel from DHEC, along with district nurses, parenting liaison, and selected staff members will assist students during clinics. Parents are welcomed to attend clinics while their children are receiving vaccinations. Children through nine years of age will need two doses of the vaccine, about one month apart: The second round of this vaccine will also be given at clinics within district schools.

The Center for Disease Control recommend the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to anyone from six months through 24 years old; anyone from twenty-five through sixty-four years of age with certain chronic medical conditions; health care and emergency medical personnel; people who live with or care for infants younger than six months of age; and pregnant women. The CDC encourages persons within these targeted populations to get vaccined as soon as possible to reduce their risk of contracting this virus.

“We are pleased that the district has partnered with the Department of Health and Environmental Control to sponsor H1N1 influenza clinics in area schools. The health and safety of our children is of great concern to us,” said Mrs. La-Dine’ Gamble, Coordinator of Special Projects and Program Evaluations/After-School Programs.  The district is participating in this initiative in an attempt to protect students from the H1N1 influenza. “Parents are encouraged to carefully read information that has been sent home regarding the increasing need for all children to be protected against this new flu virus,” Gamble added.

Williamsburg County School District will offer H1N1 Vaccination Clinics at Hemingway Elementary School, Cades-Hebron Elementary School, and St. Mark Elementary School on November 18, 2009. Clinics will be held at W. M. Anderson Primary School, Kingstree Elementary School, Greeleyville Elementary School, and D. P. Cooper Elementary School on November 19, 2009.  Clinics will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dates for additional clinics within the district will be announced at a later date.“