Friday, November 13, 2009

H1N1 vaccination clinics are being held today at four Wichita elementary schools -- McCollom, Peterson, Benton and Kensler. Students, along with pregnant teachers and administrators, can receive a dose. The CDC lists children and expectant women as being among those at highest risk of serious complications from the flu.

The district has about 2,000 doses of the vaccine available this week. As of Friday afternoon, an estimated 700 students at the four participating schools had received parental permission to be vaccinated.

Healthy students without any underlying conditions receive the nasal mist version of the vaccine. Others, such as those with asthma, receive the standard shot.

A dozen more schools will host clinics next week. They include Gardiner, Linwood, Payne, Buckner and Chisholm Trail on November 19. The next day, November 20, clinics will be held at Franklin, Lawrence, Harry Street, Lincoln, Stanley, and Mueller. Earhart will hold its clinic on November 24.

Around 250 doses of the vaccine were distributed to students at several of the district's alternative campuses earlier this month.