County begins swine flu vaccination at area high schools
Nov, 10-2009 3:33 pm
By STEVE PRISAMENT
Staff Writer
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – The Atlantic County Division of Public Health has started vaccinating high school students with its first batch of H1N1 vaccine.
“As it arrives we send out forms and the quantities,” said County Health Officer Patricia Diamond.
Working through Executive Atlantic County Superintendent of Schools Thomas Dowd to provide vaccines to area high school students, Diamond said Tuesday, Nov. 10 that her organization is also working with private and parochial schools.
There is no established schedule for the vaccinations; they are being arranged for various schools on a daily basis.
People from 6 months through 24 years old are among the populations targeted by the federal Centers for Disease Control to receive the vaccine.
“We are starting with our high school students and plan to offer vaccinations to other youth within the target populations as more vaccine becomes available,” Diamond said.
Additional target populations include pregnant women, health care and emergency medical personnel, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months, and those 25 to 64 who have chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.
These conditions include asthma, heart disease and diabetes, Diamond said – “typically the illnesses that make it difficult to get over the seasonal flu.”
The vaccine is arriving in limited quantities, Diamond said, but the Centers for Disease Control has stated that everyone who wants it will eventually be able to receive it.
“Children and young adults have been more seriously affected by the H1N1 flu strain,” she said. “It appears to be disproportionately impacting these populations, as compared to seasonal flu that typically hits our seniors the hardest.”
Letters are being sent to the homes of high school students to advise them of opportunities to receive the vaccination in their respective schools during school hours.
“The letters remind parents and guardians that the vaccine is voluntary and is also available from many local pediatricians, physicians and pharmacies,” Diamond said. “Parents and guardians are also reminded that children 6 months through 9 years of age must receive two doses of the vaccine, approximately 30 days apart. Individuals 10 years and older need only receive one dose of vaccine for full protection.”
The second doses, she said, will be available for those needing it in the 30-day time period.
Division of Public Health nurses inoculated 250 emergency medical service personnel with the H1N1 vaccine Oct. 30, according to Diamond.
“First responders will be called upon to help transport those who may contract H1N1 and require hospitalization,” she said. “They are included in the populations targeted by the CDC to receive H1N1 vaccinations. We recognize the importance of protecting those who so often provide our first line of defense.”
The Division of Public Health plans to hold public H1N1 vaccination clinics once it receives additional vaccine shipments, Diamond said.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to continue to engage in protective hygiene practices and to stay informed by visiting the county website at www.aclink.org and by calling the county flu hotline at (609) 677-5720 for updates, she said.
“People can also check ‘Find a Flu Shot’ on the state’s website. They can get there through our site,” Diamond noted.
Diamond said there is no predictable timeline.
“We’re doing this day by day,” she said. “The demand is greater than the current supply.” As flu shot clinics are scheduled by local health departments and other providers, Diamond said, information on the website will be continuously updated.
To comment on this story email steve.prisament@catamaranmedia.com.
