Knox Co. Schools begin H1N1 nasal flu vaccine clinics

Knox Co. Schools begin H1N1 nasal flu vaccine clinics

By JAMIE LYNN DROHAN
6 News Reporter 

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- The Knox County Health Department began its in-school H1N1 nasal flu vaccine clinics Wednesday.

Continuing through Friday, 3,300 students from 20 different schools will receive the H1N1 nasal flu vaccine.

Officials say there should be enough vaccine to go around to every school in Knox County. However, they're working on a week by week basis, due to receiving smaller shipments.

"Vaccine distribution is so unpredictable so we basically get about a two day notice as to when we're getting the vaccine in and once we know the amount, that's when we decide how many schools we're able to go to that week," explains Jennifer Johnson, an RN with the health department.

The department is following the same schedule it uses for the seasonal FluMist vaccine.

Although they normally vaccinate around 30,000 students, officials are aware some children already got their H1N1 shots or mist through the health department or their pediatrician.

"Our staff and the kids are old pros at this. The kids really know the drill and they do it well and the schools are such great partners to let us come back on such short notice to protect our children," said Dr. Martha Buchanan.

Parents will be notified when the vaccine shipment arrives at their child's school.

If you want your child to be vaccinated, you can turn in a consent form all the way up to the clinic date.

Officials say if you don't want your child to be vaccinated, there's no need for a consent form.

The health department says it has received a lower number of parent consent forms for the H1N1 vaccine, as compared to the seasonal flu vaccine.

West Hills Elementary had about 367 students who got seasonal FluMist vaccine this year, compared to an estimated 277 who got H1N1 nasal mist.

The Tennessee Department of Health says there have been no reports of adverse side effects from H1N1 vaccine.

Here's the in-school vaccine schedule for Nov. 5-6: