Schools will offer swine flu vaccine; NAE scheduled for Nov. 30
By ROB NOVIT
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has obtained some quantities of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine and has begun giving students injections at area schools.
The effort will continue with about half the Aiken County schools through Dec. 16.
Parents have received or will receive a permission form and can opt out of the administering of the injections if they choose. The Aiken County Board of Education approved the implementation of the vaccine program earlier this fall.
In Area 2 North Augusta Elementary School is scheduled for a DHEC visit this Monday, Nov. 30, followed by Belvedere on Dec. 1.
Some schools won't get the flu shots until January following the Christmas break, Aiken Associate Superintendent Dr. Cecilia Davidson said last week.
"It is a concern that we cannot do all the schools before the (Christmas) holidays," she said. "I wish we could do them all next week. But that's not realistic when you look at the amount of vaccine available and the staffing that would be needed. DHEC is doing the best it can."
Parents whose children attend the first four schools on the schedule (including Ridge-Spring Monetta, J.D. Lever and North Aiken, as well as North Augusta Elementary School) should have received the permission forms by now. Other parents should get the letter a week before DHEC visits their school.
The state agency is recommending that children get the H1N1 injection, and school district officials agree, Davidson said. The district is including a DHEC informational letter with the permission form, she said.
DHEC nurses will administer all injections. Nurses with the school district will provide assistance.
H1N1 vaccine school schedule through Dec. 16
(January schedule for remaining schools not yet available)
* Nov. 30 -- North Augusta Elementary School
* Dec. 1 -- Belvedere and Clearwater elementary schools
* Dec. 7 -- Millbrook and Greendale elementary schools
* Dec. 8 -- Redcliffe Elementary and Jackson Middle schools
* Dec. 9 -- Aiken and Warrenville elementary schools
* Dec. 14 -- Jefferson and Gloverville elementary schools.
* Dec. 15 -- Byrd Elementary and Byrd Learning Center
* Dec. 16 -- Busbee Elementary and A.L. Corbett Middle schools
