H1N1 immunization clinic coming to Bloomfield schools

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
By Timberly Ferree, Staff Writer

Look for an H1N1 vaccination clinic at the Bloomfield Elementary and Jr./Sr. High School on Friday.

The free clinic is slated for noon to 6 p.m. and will be in the BES Literacy Lab.

A press release from the Bloomfield School District (BSD) explains that all students were given an informational letter, vaccine information sheet and a consent form Tuesday.

The same information was e-mailed to parents who have provided an e-mail contact to the school district.

A copy of the information is also available on the school Web site -- which can be viewed at www.bsd.k12.in.us/

"Students in grades four through 12 will be administered the H1N1 vaccine without a parent being present as long as the student possesses a signed parent consent form," states the press release. "Parents of students in grades four through 12 wishing to be present at the time of the clinic will need to make arrangements to attend the clinic during the hours of 3 - 6 p.m."

If that time slot interferes with your work schedule, please contact the elementary or jr./sr. high office for an alternative time.

"Students in grades kindergarten through third grade will not receive the vaccination without a signed consent form and a parent being present for the vaccination," states the press release. "Parents (of students) in these grade levels should plan on attending the clinic from 3 - 6 p.m."

If you are unable to attend during that time please contact the elementary office to make arrangements for an alternative time.

"The number of vaccinations provided to Bloomfield School District students is contingent upon the number of dosages of the vaccine available. It is possible if demand exceeds the number of dosages on hand, that some students will not receive the vaccine," the press release states.

Superintendent Dan Sichting provided additional details on the clinic in an interview with the Greene County Daily World on Wednesday morning.

The determination as to what type of vaccination the student will receive is dependent upon a couple of things.

"More (students) will get the mist than the shot. At the same time, it depends on supply," Sichting explained.

But it also depends on information contained on the parent consent form.

"Parents will be asked to answer questions concerning the student and the answer to questions will determine if the shot or mist will be given," he added.

Sichting also explained the reason for the H1N1 clinic being held at the BSD first.

"The Bloomfield School District was the first one ready. ... The other school districts will be getting vaccinations soon," Sichting said.

Information on other area school vaccination clinics will be released as soon as it is made available.

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I would think about it real hard before i would go putting mercury in my childs veins!!!!

-- Posted by easternmom on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 8:14 PM

I would think about it real hard before I let my child die from H1N1.!!!

-- Posted by lowgap on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 8:50 PM

I think the staff at the school should also be getting these shots. If all the staff comes down with this who will replace them all?

-- Posted by Concernedingc on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 8:52 PM

While more children are contracting this flu nationwide, more adults over the age of 50 than children are dying from the virus.

Our government who wants to run all of health care in the US, promised ample supply to its citizens long before this. It promised citizens not in the "priority" groups would have ample opportunity to have the vaccination in mid-October. They changed that to the 2nd week of November. Teachers and those who care for young children are also included in the priority groups.

Supplies of the vaccine have trickled to the state health departments for distribution with a date for the general public to be vaccinated yet to be determined.

While it is admirable the government wishes to protect our children, with parents consent, how can we believe our health departments will have the vaccine available before Spring 2010?

-- Posted by L A on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 9:57 PM

It seems unwise to me to give a bunch of schoolchildren--not traditionally known for being terribly sanitary--a live vaccine. Nothing like having them sneeze out that flu virus to be circulated around the school!

-- Posted by sarah m on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, at 8:01 AM