H1N1 School Immunizations Information
The department recently ended an intensive effort to vaccinate public, parochial and private school children. Nearly 50,000 children were vaccinated over a three week period by holding clinics in ten schools a day for three weeks. Nurses from Public Health and Wellness, Jefferson County Public Schools and Norton Healthcare administered the immunizations.
This was the most ambitious school immunization effort in Louisville since the Salk Polio Vaccine trial of the 1950s. Each student in Jefferson County Public Schools - the 90 public elementary schools, 24 middle schools and 21 high schools plus each student in the community’s 39 parochial elementary schools and eight parochial high schools - as well as students in numerous other private schools, had the opportunity to get an H1N1 immunization.
Between November 30 and December 18, nurses and other staff went to at least 10 schools each school day to give H1N1 immunizaions to students and staff. The immunizations were voluntary and free. Each student needed a consent form signed by a parent or guardian.
“We strongly encourage parents to have their children immunized against H1N1,” said Dr. Troutman. “School children are especially at risk from H1N1.” According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 300 and 800 children age 17 and younger have died from H1N1 since April and between 23,000 and 57,000 have been hospitalized.
Click here to review the full school immunization schedule.
Click here for the parent guide.
Information can also be obtained by calling the H1N1 hotline at 568-H1N1 (4161).