The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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November 9, 2009

Students line up for swine flu vaccine

By Monica Pryts

GREENVILLE — About 300 students from the Greenville Area School District received the swine flu vaccine or nasal spray by Monday night at the high school.

“It’s going very smooth,” said Nancy Castor, principal of Hempfield Elementary School.

While the district has had only three confirmed cases of the swine flu, or H1N1, school officials decided to register with the state Department of Health to host the clinic for students. There is no cost to the district or students.

“We’re trying to be proactive,” school nurse Connie Kozlowski said. Most students were leaving with a smile, but there were “a few tears” from some children who received the shot, she said.

Parents or guardians had to accompany children under age 18 and could choose between the shot or spray. Those with certain medical conditions like asthma are advised against getting the nasal spray, Mrs. Kozlowski said.

School board member Alice Matusz brought her son Patrick, 18, to get the shot as recommended by their family doctor.

“It’s awesome,” he said of being able to get the shot.

He’s on the football team and participates in other school activities, so he comes in contact with a lot of people who could be carrying tthe swine flu bug.

Some of his classmates were out sick with the illness, so prevention is important, Patrick said.

Missy Gladysz brought her three children to receive the shot and said the free clinic was a good idea because health officials have said they don’t know when the vaccine will be available to the general public.

“It’s a great community service,” she said. Two of her children had flu symptoms this year and she kept them home for a few days.

She encouraged other parents to bring their kids to the clinic, which is offered again today, and said she appreciated school and health officials for providing the clinic.

Nicole Hayne had her children Reagan, 9, and Bennett, 4, get the nasal spray.

“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” she said..

The nasal spray leaves a bit of a bad taste in the back of the throat, Reagan said, adding it’s better than getting a shot.

Mrs. Hayne called the free clinic “wonderful “ and said the hours were convenient and everything was well organized.

The clinic will be set up today from 4 to 8 p.m. in the high school cafeteria and school staff who are in one of the risk groups to get the swine flu will receive the vaccine Wednesday, she said.

The school received 1,400 doses and any leftovers will go elsewhere in the county as determined by health officials, Mrs. Kozlowski said..

Nurses from the school and Department of Health screened students and administered the vaccine.

The lines never got too long and the most people had to wait was about five minutes, said Michele Orahood, school board secretary and district business manager.

Mrs. Orahood was making copies of the vaccine records for parents and the school.

Children ages 4 to 9 need a second dose of the vaccine or spray and the school will have another clinic for them. tentatively set for Dec. 7 and 8.

Ambulance crews were on hand in case anyone reacts to the medicine, but everything went well, Mrs. Kozlowski said. Reactions could include a runny nose, congestion, cough, fever, headache, wheezing and abdominal pain, according to information parents received when they registered their children.

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