School-based H1N1 Vaccination Clinics
School-based H1N1 Vaccination Clinics
Thursday, November 5, 2009
From: Craig Menozzi
Superintendent
New Prague Area Schools

Over the next few days, parents will be receiving a mailing from Scott County Public Health (one envelope per child enrolled in school). Inside these envelopes will be five important documents:
• A letter explaining the county's H1N1 optional vaccination clinics that will be held at our schools.
• A Q & A piece that should help to answer many of the questions about the clinics as well as the nature of the vaccines themselves.
• Two vaccine information sheets "About H1N1 Immunization^TM in the form of FluMist and the shot injections that have been provided by Minnesota Department of Health;
• A permission slip for you to complete if you wish your child/children to be vaccinated.
PLEASE RETURN THE FORM TO YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL WITHIN THREE DAYS

Our schools are offering these clinics as a convenience for parents and families in our district. Vaccination is not mandatory, however, Scott County Public Health does urge parents to strongly consider vaccinating children against the novel H1N1 influenza virus. This virus has shown to be particularly virulent among young people. The vaccination will be provided in two forms: The FluMist nasal spray and the more familiar injection-administered vaccine. Unless your child has an existing illness, the FluMist is less invasive and least frightening for most young children. All of the vaccinations, regardless of form, will be administered by Scott County Public Health Nurses.

We urge you to look for and thoroughly review the information that will be arriving from Scott County at your home soon. Call 952-496-8801 if you have any outstanding questions or concerns. Please do keep in mind that your local health care providers will be administering the H1N1 vaccine. We have no specific information as to when and where these vaccines will be available at health care clinics and providers. If you prefer to have your children receive the vaccine at your local health care providers office or clinic, please contact them directly.

Elementary school buildings will be revisited for the second dose of the Flu-Mist vaccine in a month. Our tentative starting date, as it may change due to circumstances beyond our control, and please understand it is only tentative at this time will be as follows:

Tuesday, November 17 - PM
Eagle View Elementary School

Wednesday, November 18 - AM
Falcon Ridge Elementary School

Wednesday, November 18 - PM
Raven Stream Elementary School.

Thursday, November 19 – AM
St Wenceslaus School

Thursday, November 19 – PM
Holy Cross School

Middle School and High School students will be vaccinated at a later date. Coordination for Home Schooled Students will be arranged through our Community Education office and vaccination will be available at the school within their attendance area.