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Swine Flu Vaccines for Schools
11/19/09 - 03:12 PM

Associated Press

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Florida is finally receiving enough swine flu vaccine to allow schools to start vaccination clinics for students.  Schools had hoped to start vaccinating students in October, but a shortage of the H1N1 vaccine delayed the process.

Now school-based clinics are getting under way in earnest across Florida.
   
Students line up in Tallahassee to get their H1N1 swine flu shots. Five-year-old Landon Crafts shows off the spot on his left arm where he got the shot. Landon is one of the first students in Leon County to get vaccinated.

Nine-year-old Robin Phillips says she’s glad to get immunized.  “I feel better because I know that I’m protected from the H1N1 and that I don’t have to worry about trying to get shots if they run out.”
   
Running out of vaccine has been a persistent concern for health officials. The supply has been limited so far because of production problems so the vaccine is reserved for high priority groups, including children.

Robin’s mother, Joya McCarthy, says she gets some extra peace of mind knowing her daughter has been immunized.  “With as many bacterias and colds and viruses that are out there, it’s good to know that’s one less one we don’t have to worry about.”
   
The swine flu shots are voluntary. Schools have been preparing for weeks to make sure there’s enough vaccine for all the students who turn in permission forms from their parents.  Wayne Blanton is with the Florida School Boards Association.  He says, “About half the school systems in the state are currently in
the process of administering the swine flu vaccine at elementary schools primarily.”
   
Swine flu has been particularly hard on children and adolescents- 42 percent of the hospitalizations in Florida have been in that age group.

Beverly Lineberry is convinced getting the shot is the right choice.  “It’s important that they get vaccinated because with the swine flu that’s going around so rampant and a lot of kids are getting really sick and this way, we don’t have to worry about that.”
   
Of the 167 swine flu deaths in Florida so far, 23 have been among children and young adults.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)