LIHU‘E — Free swine flu immunizations are scheduled to be administered in schools across the island starting next week, according to a state Department of Health press release. Signed parental permission forms were due at the schools by the end
LIHU‘E — Free swine flu immunizations are scheduled to be administered in schools across the island starting next week, according to a state Department of Health press release.
Signed parental permission forms were due at the schools by the end of October, and those who did not return the forms will not be able to get the H1N1 vaccinations, state DOH officials said.
The school-based clinics are for those in grades kindergarten through eight, the DOH release states. All school-age students fall into one of the high-priority groups to receive immunizations.
“We’re hoping that parents will take advantage of this convenient opportunity to get their keiki vaccinated,” said Dr. Chiyome Fukino, state DOH director.
“Vaccination is the best protection you can offer your children to prevent complications from flu. We urge both keiki and their families to get both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines in order to have maximum protection against both known flu strains circulating this year,” said Fukino.
In addition to the scheduled school clinics, 2009 H1N1 vaccinations have begun on a relatively small scale for other priority populations.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that populations most at-risk for severe illness or complications from the flu receive priority in getting the vaccine.
“In these early weeks while we have limited supplies of H1N1 vaccine, we are adhering to the CDC recommended priority groups,” stated State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Y. Park.
“If you’re not sure whether you qualify, please check with your healthcare provider to see if you fall within a priority group and where you should go to get vaccinated,” said Park.
“If you’re not in a priority group, please be assured that eventually everyone who wants the vaccine will be able to receive it.”
Initial vaccine shipments to Hawai‘i have been limited by factors including manufacturers’ output, variations in the state’s allocation, and delivery logistics, the DOH said in the release.
As these variables are resolved, DOH fully anticipates receiving ample vaccine supplies to meet the needs of Hawai‘i’s population and will continue to provide timely updates, they said.
The first clinics in schools on Kaua‘i are Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Kapa‘a Middle, King Kaumuali‘i Elementary, and St. Catherine schools.
Scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1 are the following schools: Hanalei, Kapa‘a Elementary and Kilauea; set for Wednesday, Dec. 2 are Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle and Wilcox schools.
On Thursday, Dec. 3, the following schools have clinics scheduled: ‘Ele‘ele, Kahili Adventist, Kawaikini New Century Public Charter, Koloa and Olelo Christian Academy. Set for clinics Tuesday, Dec. 8 are the following schools: Island and St. Theresa, and on Thursday, Dec. 10, clinics are scheduled at the following schools: Kalaheo, Ke Kula Ni‘ihau Kekaha Public Charter, Kekaha and Waimea Canyon.
As of Thursday, clinics had been held at 18 schools on O‘ahu, and 4,548 students were immunized, said Park. Another four school clinics were scheduled on O‘ahu Thursday, she said.
Maui schools are on a similar schedule as Kaua‘i’s, and the Big Island school clinics are set for early December, she said.
