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Schools seeking clinics for flu
By RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune Chronicle
POSTED: October 14, 2009
WARREN -
With absenteeism running high in some local schools, at least 20 Trumbull County districts have asked for H1N1 vaccination clinics in their buildings, according to Selene Layton, director of the nursing with the Trumbull County Health Department.
The Health Department met with area superintendents and principals last week and with school nurses on Tuesday to outline proposals about getting students the appropriate shots in an effort to reduce the spread of the disease.
"We are hoping to get consent forms to the school districts next week so they can get them to their students parents as quickly as possible," Layton said. "With the returned consent forms, we will know how many parents want to have their children given the vaccine."
In the meantime, Lakeview Local Schools Superintendent Robert Wilson said he does not know why there has been a higher-than-normal absenteeism this week in the district's buildings.
"So far this week, we've had twice a many of our middle school students absent than we've typically had during this time a year," Wilson said. "At our other schools, the number of students absent has been only slightly higher than normal."
Warren City Schools Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg mentioned during Tuesday's Board of Education meeting that the cold and flu season has hit both students and employees at a number of district's schools.
Hellweg emphasized that it is better for students and employees who are running fevers and exhibiting flu-like symptoms to stay home and get better instead of risking affecting others.
"These absences would be excused," she said.
Layton said that residents who have regular physicians should get both their seasonal flu shots and their H1N1 - swine flu - vaccinations with them. There are a number of locations where they can get their seasonal flu shots.
The H1N1 clinics are not likely to occur in the schools until November.
"While some vaccine is being delivered into Ohio now, state officials are expecting the amount coming into Ohio to significantly increase in the next several weeks as manufacturer supplies are distributed to the states," she said.
"There will be enough vaccine for everyone."
In addition to the school clinics, the county also will have vaccination sites at the Niles Wellness Center and at Packard Music Hall. Dates and times have not been announced.
LaBrae Local Schools Superintendent Pat Guliano said there has not been any specific times or dates set for his district's vaccination.
"I think we will want to do it after regular school hours," Guliano said. "We want the child's parent or guardian with them."
Districts must make sure parents know that giving permission for the vaccine may require students to get two doses, he said. Parents also must know that the school clinics only will be giving vaccine for children.
Newton Falls Superintendent David J. Wilson announced the district will provide two doses of the vaccine in November and December.
"The first targeted groups will be our youngest students in grades k-2," Wilson said. "Arrangements will be made to have vaccinations scheduled to allow parents to accompany their children."
http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/528458.html?nav=5021
By RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune Chronicle
POSTED: October 14, 2009
WARREN -
With absenteeism running high in some local schools, at least 20 Trumbull County districts have asked for H1N1 vaccination clinics in their buildings, according to Selene Layton, director of the nursing with the Trumbull County Health Department.
The Health Department met with area superintendents and principals last week and with school nurses on Tuesday to outline proposals about getting students the appropriate shots in an effort to reduce the spread of the disease.
"We are hoping to get consent forms to the school districts next week so they can get them to their students parents as quickly as possible," Layton said. "With the returned consent forms, we will know how many parents want to have their children given the vaccine."
In the meantime, Lakeview Local Schools Superintendent Robert Wilson said he does not know why there has been a higher-than-normal absenteeism this week in the district's buildings.
"So far this week, we've had twice a many of our middle school students absent than we've typically had during this time a year," Wilson said. "At our other schools, the number of students absent has been only slightly higher than normal."
Warren City Schools Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg mentioned during Tuesday's Board of Education meeting that the cold and flu season has hit both students and employees at a number of district's schools.
Hellweg emphasized that it is better for students and employees who are running fevers and exhibiting flu-like symptoms to stay home and get better instead of risking affecting others.
"These absences would be excused," she said.
Layton said that residents who have regular physicians should get both their seasonal flu shots and their H1N1 - swine flu - vaccinations with them. There are a number of locations where they can get their seasonal flu shots.
The H1N1 clinics are not likely to occur in the schools until November.
"While some vaccine is being delivered into Ohio now, state officials are expecting the amount coming into Ohio to significantly increase in the next several weeks as manufacturer supplies are distributed to the states," she said.
"There will be enough vaccine for everyone."
In addition to the school clinics, the county also will have vaccination sites at the Niles Wellness Center and at Packard Music Hall. Dates and times have not been announced.
LaBrae Local Schools Superintendent Pat Guliano said there has not been any specific times or dates set for his district's vaccination.
"I think we will want to do it after regular school hours," Guliano said. "We want the child's parent or guardian with them."
Districts must make sure parents know that giving permission for the vaccine may require students to get two doses, he said. Parents also must know that the school clinics only will be giving vaccine for children.
Newton Falls Superintendent David J. Wilson announced the district will provide two doses of the vaccine in November and December.
"The first targeted groups will be our youngest students in grades k-2," Wilson said. "Arrangements will be made to have vaccinations scheduled to allow parents to accompany their children."
http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/528458.html?nav=5021