The Union County School District is taking steps to be ready to vaccinate students and staff against the H1N1 flu once the vaccine is available, Superintendent Dr. David Eubanks said.

A packet that includes a letter from DHEC, a parental consent form and a fact sheet on H1N1 and the vaccine is being prepared for distribution by area schools next week. Eubanks said while the district has received no information on when the vaccine will be available locally, it wants to be ready to vaccinate students and staff as soon as it arrives.

“The parents’ permisison form was developed and given to us by DHEC,” Eubanks said Tuesday. “We have not been given a definite date to begin the vaccinations. The shortage of vaccine has created a situation where they can’t project a definte date to serve the school district.”

“Nevertheless, we will begin distribution of the parent permission slips and related materials the week of Nov. 16,” he continued. “The packets will be handed out to princpals of each school on Tuesday and we hope to have them all distributed by the end of the week. We’re encouraging parents to sign the permission slips and return them immediately. Our goal is to have everything in place such that we can immediately begin the vaccinations when the vaccine becomes available.”

Eubanks said the administration of the immunizations will be a joint effort between school and DHEC nurses.

The permission form also includes a section for parents who do not want their children to receive the H1N1 shot. Eubanks said while the district recommends all children be immunized, it is strictly voluntary with parents having the final say in the matter.

The information sheet is a series of nine questions and answers about the H1N1 flu and related issues. The first explains that H1N1 is a new strain of influenza virus currently spreading throughout the world. It also lists the signs of H1N1 including:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Muscale aches

• Chills

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Some people also experience diarrhea and vomiting.

It states while most people feel better within a week, some develop pneumonia or other serious illnesses. Some victims must be hospitalized and some might even die.

The DHEC letter, signed by Lisa Waddell, the agency’s deputy commissioner for health services, explains the vaccinations are being offered through the schools to make it easier for parents to get their children vaccinated.

It explains the vaccine being administered through the schools has been designated as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine will be administered by injection and not nasal spray. Waddell writes if a parent prefers their child receive the nasal spray they should discuss the matter with their child’s primary healthcare provider.

Each child that’s vaccinated at school will receive an immunization card to carry home. A child under 10 years old will need a second shot within 21 days of the first. Waddell writes if that is the case DHEC will provide information about getting the second dose.

Waddell encourages people with questions about the flu and/or the vaccine to contact their child’s primary healthcare provider or call the DHEC Flu Hotline at 1-800-27-SHOTS (1-800-277-4687). They also can log on to the DHEC Web site at www.scdhec.gov/flu/swine-flu.htm.

Vaccinating The At-Risk:

The Union County Health Department will hold an H1N1 vaccination clinic for at-risk persons this Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The groups of at-risk include:

• Children six months to 17 years of age

• Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than six months of age.

• Pregnant women.

• Young adults 18-24 years of age.

• People 25-64 years of age who have health conditions that put them at higher risk of medical complications from flu.

• Healthcare and medical emergency personnel.

The number of persons to be vaccinated Saturday is contingent upon the availability of the vaccine.

The Union County Health Department is located at 115 Thomas St.

Wallace Thomson Hospital:

Emily Cannon, RNBSN, director of infection control and prevention at Wallace Thomson Hospital, said while the hospital is allowing the health department to handle the vaccinations of the general public, the hospital district is currently vaccinating all of its medical staff and their families. This includes not only those who work at the hospital, but also members of the Union County EMS and the Carolina Health Associates clinics. Cannon said the district is also working to ensure the clinics have vaccine on hand for patients who come in and request vaccination. The vaccine is also available for inpatients at the hospital if requested by their physician.