H1N1 vaccination clinics for Arkansas school children are officially underway from now until December.

The clinics are a joint project of the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas Department of Education and local school districts statewide.

The free seasonal flu shots and H1N1 vaccine (if supplies are available) are being provided to school children at 1,094 schools. The effort is funded by the tobacco tax passed during the recent legislative session and federal monies and is part of Governor Mike Beebe’s health initiative.

Dr. James Phillips, branch chief, infectious disease, said, “Flu is serious. Each year we lose some 36,000 Americans to complications from flu. H1N1 flu is placing an additional burden on the safety and well being of our school children.  We have seen 9 deaths due to complications from H1N1 flu this season. Flu shots are not required for children to attend school, but they are highly recommended.”

Arkansas Department of Education commissioner Dr. Tom W. Kimbrell said, “Schools are already dealing with student and staff absences due to the flu and similar ailments, and any day missed by either affects the level of teaching and learning that can occur. The fact that these vaccines are available to all of our students and school personnel is tremendously positive and should prove helpful for both the physical and academic health of our students.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommend that all children aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu shot every year.  Seasonal flu causes children to miss school and their parents to miss work. The seasonal flu shot will not protect against the novel H1N1 influenza A (Swine Flu) virus. The H1N1 flu vaccine is a separate vaccine. The ADH is working to make sure the high priority groups that are most at risk for complications for H1N1 flu receive the H1N1 vaccine first. Children ages 6 months to 24 years are one of the priority groups. 

The fastest, most efficient way to vaccinate the most children will be through the upcoming statewide school flu clinics beginning October 14th at Fair Park Elementary School in Little Rock, and the initial H1N1 vaccine supply will be for the first of these clinics.

Click here for a complete listing of all school clinics statewide

Margo Bushmiaer, Coordinator of Health Services for the Little Rock School District, said, “Families in the Little Rock School District will have the opportunity to be vaccinated at one of our five after school clinics or during school hours for middle school and high school students who return their consent forms. We hope that all our parents will take advantage of this convenient way to protect their families from the flu this year.”

As Arkansas gets more H1N1 vaccine, those doses will be given to other priority groups first.

These include pregnant women, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants under 6 months of age, and people ages 25-64 years with underlying health conditions (like asthma, diabetes).  Pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions cannot receive the nasal flu mist.

The ADH expects to eventually receive enough H1N1 vaccine to offer to any Arkansan that would like to receive vaccine.

Flu is a sickness that infects the nose, throat and lungs and is caused by the influenza virus. If you’re young and healthy, the flu vaccine may be 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing illness.

Children less than 9 years who have never received a seasonal flu shot before will need a second seasonal flu shot for full protection. Children less than 10 years will also need to receive a second H1N1 shot. +Parents will need to contact a local ADH health unit or health care provider, see if vaccine is available and take their children in for a second shot 4 weeks after the first shot.

Parents should not be concerned about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine.  All flu vaccines are made the same way. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine simply contains a different strain of influenza virus and is made exactly like all previous seasonal influenza vaccines.

Reactions to all flu vaccines might include a mild soreness and redness near the site of the shot and perhaps a little fever or slight headache.  The flu shot cannot give you the flu.

Persons who should not receive influenza vaccine for health reasons are: persons with a severe allergy (i.e. anaphylactic allergic reaction) to hens’ eggs and persons who previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Influenza symptoms include fever over 100 degrees, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, and occasionally stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

The influenza virus is spread through coughing or sneezing and by touching a hard surface with the virus on it and then touching the nose or mouth. The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year.