The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

November 14, 2009

Hermitage school schedules H1N1 flu clinic for students, selected staffers

By Joe Pinchot

HERMITAGE — Hermitage School District will hold a series of clinics to vaccinate its students and those at two parochial schools against the H1N1 virus.

Officials initially had planned to target students from ages 5 to 9, but received 3,000 doses, more than enough to cover Hermitage School District’s 2,000 students, and those at Kennedy Catholic High School and Notre Dame School, said Elizabeth Massar, Hermitage director of curriculum and instruction.

Vaccinations are voluntary.

School physician Dr. Jean O. Wilson had the district order only the injectable form of the vaccine to avoid the potential health problems associated with the nasal spray, Ms. Massar said.

School officials acknowledged in October that one student probably had what generally has been called swine flu. Ms. Massar said more students probably also have come down with the H1N1 flu.

“Hopefully, we can get these kids before they get sick,” Ms. Massar said of the rest of the students.

School officials have been working to set up clinics for more than a month, but waited until the vaccines arrived before making the final arrangements.

“It’s been a lot of hurry up and wait,” she said.

These clinics have been set:

• 4 to 6 p.m. Monday in the Artman Elementary School community room for students who will receive the vaccine with their parents present.

• On Tuesday and Wednesday for elementary and middle school students who are being allowed to receive the vaccines without their parents present.

• Wednesday for Notre Dame and Kennedy students.

• Thursday for Hickory High School students to get shots without their parents present.

Some school staff members will receive shots Friday, but only if they meet limited criteria, such as they are pregnant, live with an infant, are a health care provider, or have chronic medical conditions.

The state Department of Health will have workers at the clinics to help school nurses. The department will pick up any unused vaccinations next week for distribution elsewhere.

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