Plans advance for area flu vaccine clinics

Dates set in Chester and Lancaster counties; consent forms distributed in Rock Hill, Clover and York schools

By Shawn Cetrone - scetrone@heraldonline.com

State health organizations, working with a smaller supply of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines than they'd like, are gradually rolling out vaccination clinics.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has scheduled public seasonal flu clinics in Chester and H1N1 clinics in Lancaster. No public clinics have been scheduled in York County yet, but health officials expect to announce some by mid-November.

DHEC is partnering with schools across the state to vaccinate children, whom health experts consider vulnerable to the H1N1, or swine flu, virus. “We thought the best way to get children would be to vaccinate them in school while they're already there,” said DHEC spokeswoman Suzanne Sanders.

Students in Rock Hill, Clover and York schools have taken home parent consent forms for the H1N1 vaccine. The forms, to be signed and returned, ask parents whether they'd like to have their child vaccinated at school with a shot. Fort Mill schools are still finalizing their agreement with DHEC, Sanders said.

The nasal spray version of the vaccine won't be offered at school, the form says. Parents who prefer the nasal spray should speak to their primary health care provider.

No child will get the vaccine without a parent's permission, according to the form. Also, if a child who has parent permission refuses the shot, it won't be given.

“The form helps us prepare,” Sanders said. “We still have a limited availability of vaccine.”

When additional vaccines arrive, elementary school students will be the first to get them, followed by students in middle school and then high schools.

The way clinics operate differs between school districts.

In Rock Hill schools, students will receive the shots during the school day. The tentative dates for elementary students are Nov. 19, 20, 23 and 24, continuing through the first week of December.

Clover schools will offer shots Nov. 12 to 18. York schools have already started clinics.

Vaccination clinics

Chester

Seasonal flu clinic: 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 11, Chester County Public Health Department, 129 Wylie St.

Details: 803-385-6152

Lancaster

H1N1 flu clinic: By appointment only, starting Nov. 17, Lancaster County Public Health Department, 1833 Pageland Highway