WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Young students to start receiving H1N1 flu mist
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MONTGOMERY, AL (WAFF) - Officials with the Alabama Department of Public Health will begin offering nasal mist flu vaccine to kindergarten through third grade students in Alabama schools beginning Nov. 23.
There have been 32 confirmed deaths in the state since July and health officials say they don't see this trend slowing down anytime soon.
"Vaccination is the best way to protect your children from this potentially serious disease," said State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson. "Research indicates that it is far safer to receive the vaccination than to become ill with the disease. We encourage everyone to be vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available."
A few clinics will begin the week of Nov. 23, but the majority will be held beginning the week of Nov. 30 through Dec. 5.
The nasal mist vaccine is sprayed into each nostril. Unlike the injectable vaccine, it's a live virus and normally has mild side effects. In children, side effects from the nasal mist vaccine can include a runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches and fever.
Some parents say they're still on the fence about getting their kids vaccinated.
"I'm not at ease with it. I would have to know more," said Sherry Carthen. Her daughter is a kindergartner at University Place Elementary in Huntsville.
The nasal mist vaccination is the first of two doses needed for children aged 9 years and under. The second dose should be given about four weeks later to protect children from the novel H1N1 influenza virus.
Beginning this week, Alabama parents will be sent packets containing a vaccine information statement informing them about the vaccine and the disease, and will be given a consent form to sign if they want their child vaccinated. Only students in these grades with signed parental consent forms will be given the H1N1 nasal mist vaccine. No fees will be charged.
"We strongly encourage parents to be proactive and treat the spread of this disease very seriously," said state Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph Morton. "This is undoubtedly an instance where prevention is the key and our children are depending on us to keep them healthy."
Parents whose children have compromised immune systems or have long-term health problems are advised to take their children to their physician, another health care provider or county health department to obtain an injectable H1N1 vaccine. In addition, children who have close contact with a person with a severely weakened immunized system should not receive the vaccine in nasal mist form.
Towana Davis, principal at University Place, says there are almost 600 students at the school.
"We're considered to be at that at-risk stage, so of course, any vaccination is important to our kids here in school", she said.
Administrators at the school say about 20-percent of their student population has asthma. So, the nasal spray isn't an option as a vaccine. Parents are concerned.
"Just the thought of having something injected into a youngster's nose is pretty much frightening", said Carthen.
Children with the following conditions should not get the nasal mist vaccine:
Children who are moderately or severely ill should wait until recovering before getting the vaccine, but those with a mild cold or other minor illness may be vaccinated.
"If you would like your child to receive the nasal spray vaccine, please read the information in your registration packet, and sign and return the consent form to your child’s school by the deadline," Dr. Morton said.
Both English and Spanish-language packets are available for parents.
At this time, the vaccine is available through health care providers and county health departments for pregnant women; children, adolescents and adults through 24 years of age; adults 25 through 64 years of age with medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes; close contacts of children younger than 6 months old; and health care and emergency medical services personnel.
For more information about H1N1 influenza, visit http://www.adph.org or call Alabama’s toll-free flu hotline at 1-877-377-7285 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday except state holidays.
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