IROQUOIS SCHOOLS
Iroquois clinic planned for swine flu vaccinations
The Iroquois Central School District has been named a community distribution site for the swine flu vaccine and expects an inoculation date in the next two weeks.
Superintendent Neil Rochelle told the School Board on Monday that, working with the Erie County Health Department, the district had changed the clinic’s location to the school’s main campus on Girdle Road — not its other buildings in Marilla, Wales and Elma, as had been expected.
“Parents do not have to be present, but we are hoping that, for the younger children, parents will choose to come in,” Rochelle said.
Health regulations require all students younger than 18 to have signed consent forms from their parents. Children younger than fourth grade will need a letter from their physician or proof in their medical record that they previously received a seasonal flu vaccine without an adverse reaction, the superintendent said.
Rochelle noted families first should try to get the H1N1 vaccine from a pediatrician or family physician. But he conceded that many doctors still do not have the vaccine and some believe they might not get any.
Board members questioned the supply and type of vaccine. The superintendent said he would not know whether the vaccines would be the flu mist variety or injections until they arrive at the school.
He also was uncertain how many doses would be sent to Iroquois. Plans are for the students to be inoculated during school hours and community members to be invited after 3:30 p. m.
“Ethically, we can’t refuse anyone,” Rochelle added.
Asked if he is concerned about being overwhelmed with crowds, Rochelle said he was confident that the school could handle the swine flu vaccination program because it successfully has run similar seasonal flu immunization clinics.
Though the district had a suspected, but not confirmed, outbreak of a flu that resembled swine flu about a month ago, the superintendent said recommendations call for everyone to get vaccinated unless they have had a confirmed H1N1 illness.
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