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School Based Clinics
The Allen County Health Department is working with your child’s school to give the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine to children at school later this fall when more vaccine is available.
- School based clinics are voluntary. Your child does not have to get the vaccine. It is recommended for all children and young people under age 24, but you will be given information to help you decide whether you want your child to get the vaccine or not.
- There will be no cost to you for this vaccine.
- Children under 10 years old – We expect children under 10 will need two doses of vaccine spaced about 3 weeks apart. If so, we will work through your child’s school to give both doses.
Information to watch for:
- The school will let you know the specific dates for vaccine clinic(s) for your school.
- The school will send more information about the disease and the vaccine home with your child.
- You will get a form that you will need to complete to allow your child to receive the vaccination or to refuse the vaccination for your child. If you refuse, the vaccination will not be given to your child.
Flu Vaccine (shot) Facts
- Seasonal flu vaccine is already available in the community. Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for children 6 months to 18 years old.
- H1N1 vaccine is coming. We ask members of the public who want to receive the H1N1 vaccine to be patient as this program begins. Our goal is to protect the people in our community who are at highest risk from the flu as quickly as we can. The first supplies of H1N1 vaccine are just now coming to Allen County, but supplies are small to begin with. Eventually there should be enough vaccine for everyone who would like to get it.
- The Allen County Health Department is working with your child’s school to give the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to children at school later this fall when more vaccine is available.
- Who should get the H1N1 vaccine? There are some people who should get the vaccine sooner rather than later. The chart on the back of this page shows who should be the first ones to get the H1N1 flu vaccine. This is because they have more risks for serious illness and complications.
- If you/your child is in the first priority group on the following table, please talk to your healthcare provider about getting the H1N1 flu vaccine or watch for more information about where it is available in the community.
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H1N1 Vaccine Categories
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First Priority
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As supply becomes more available
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Pregnant Women
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X
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Healthcare workers with direct patient contact
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X
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People who live with or care for infants less than
6 months old
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X
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Children 6 months – 4 years old
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X
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Children 5-18 years old with chronic medical
conditions
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X
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All children 6 months – 18 years old
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X
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Young adults age 19-24
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X
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People aged 25-64 who have medical conditions that
put them at higher risk for influenza-related
complications
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X
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Key Flu Facts
- Flu is unpredictable. Most of the flu being reported around the country is 2009 H1N1 flu, but we may see more seasonal flu viruses going around later in the season.
- If your child is sick, you may never know if it is H1N1 flu or not. Most people with flu symptoms do not need a test for 2009 H1N1 flu. Most people with the 2009 H1N1 flu have had mild illness and have not needed medical care. Test results usually do not change the treatment.
- You may be told your child has the flu based on his/her symptoms. Most testing will be done on patients who are seriously ill (hospitalized) and we hope that doesn’t happen to your child.
- Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu – both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu.
Emergency Warning Signs if your child is sick
Call or take your child to a doctor right away if your child of any age has:
- Other conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or asthma and develops flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough.
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Teach your children to prevent the spread of germs
- Clean hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean surfaces that are frequently touched like doorknobs, desks, keyboards and phones. Use your regular cleaning agents.
- Disinfection beyond regular cleaning is not necessary.
- If your children are sick with flu like symptoms, keep them home for 24 hours after their fever has gone away without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
