UISD Flu Vaccine Clinics Continue Till November 7th
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Oct 9, 2013, Comments Off
Courtesy Alex Meyer,
(Laredo, Tx)-Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease which affects the lungs and can lead to serious illness, including pneumonia. Even healthy people can get sick enough to miss work or school for a significant amount of time or even be hospitalized. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Pregnant women, young children, older people, and people with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease are at increased risk of serious flu-related complications, so getting a yearly flu vaccine is especially important for them.
The United Independent School District (UISD) Health Services Department is offering the flu vaccine to UISD students who do not have insurance, are underinsured or have Medicaid or CHIPS*. Students with private insurance do not qualify for the free flu vaccine and must go to their medical provider, H.E.B. or Walgreens.
The vaccine is available as a mist or injection. Most children are receiving the mist type. Students who list medical conditions (such as respiratory problems like asthma) in their completed questionnaire will receive the injectablevaccine. Irene Irene Rosales MSN, R.N., Director of Health Services at UISD, encourages parents of UISD students to take advantage of the no-cost flu vaccine clinics at campuses throughout UISD.
‘This school year we are seeing an increase in flu-like-illnesses, especially at the elementary level. It is important that students get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent this communicable disease. “ I encourage all parents to keep children with a fever of 100.4 or higher at home. I also suggest that children with such fevers to be taken to see a doctor as soon as possible. Children may return to school if they are free of fever for 24 hours without the aid of any fever reducing medication”, said Rosales.
“Some of the bestflu prevention measures include not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth and washing your hands frequently. You may use hand sanitizer if no water is available. Another way to prevent the flu is to sneeze inside your elbow and not on your hands,”she concluded.
The 2013-2014 trivalent influenza vaccine is made from the following three viruses:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A(H3N2) virus antigenically like the cell-propagated prototype virus A/Victoria/361/2011;
- a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus.
Parents of UISD students who qualify for the free flu vaccine must pick up, complete and return three specific forms (available from the nurse on campus). The forms include a Parental Consent Form, Questionaire, and Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) white eligibility form. Parents may contact their student’s school nurse if they have further questions about the forms or flu vaccine.
