October 19, 2009

 

Dear Parent/Guardian:

 

Flu season has arrived. This year we are partnering with the Norman Public Schools and Madison Elementary School to prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza by providing voluntary immunizations with FluMistâ intranasal vaccine. Keeping students and teachers healthy and in school is important for their education. Children can be sick with the flu for a week or more. In addition, flu in children can be serious and can cause: fever, headache, extreme fatigue, and body aches. Children with underlying health conditions such as asthma or diabetes may become ill enough to require hospitalization. Children are often the main source of flu infection for everyone else, spreading the flu to other classmates, family members, and the community.

 

The single best way to help prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 flu is for your child to get the flu vaccine. As a result, we will be conducting a school vaccination clinic on October 23rd at Madison Elementary from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

 

To give your consent to have your child vaccinated with the FluMistâ vaccine, please read and complete the attached consent forms (front and back) and return to your child’s school by October 23, 2009. Your child cannot receive the vaccine without a signed consent form from their parent or guardian. You are also welcome to accompany your child to the vaccine clinic listed above for them to receive the vaccine. Children under 10 years of age will need two doses of the vaccine 3 to 4 weeks apart. The second dose of vaccine will be available at the Cleveland County Health Department. There will be no charge for this vaccine.

 

FluMistâ is a nasal spray vaccine that has been well received by children, as it does not involve needles. The vaccine does contain a live virus that is weakened so that it does not cause flu illness. The side effects are usually mild and may include a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache.  Children with asthma should not receive FluMistâ

 

If you have questions about the vaccine or vaccination clinics, please call the Cleveland County Health Department, 405-321-4048, weekdays between 8 AM and 5 PM. You may also want to consult with your health care provider regarding seasonal influenza vaccine and H1N1 vaccine.

 

Sincerely,

 

Shari Kinney, Administrator