Horry County schools began flu clinics for students this morning.
H1N1 flu shots from DHEC are being given out to students free of charge.
All parents have to do is sign a permission slip to allow their children to get the vaccine.
The first H1N1 flu clinic was held at Aynor Elementary today.
Like many parents Jeannie Doyle is allowing her four children to get the new H1N1 flu shots, but it wasn't an easy decision for her family.
“It was kind of a mixed reaction. I wasn't sure whether or not i really wanted to have my children vaccinated, but then I spoke to several healthcare professionals and they highly recommended it. So I decided to go ahead and do it,” said Doyle.
“Children are at the greatest risk for H1N1 influenza. We see in the statistics young children getting sick the most. We see them as well being hospitalized more frequently and unfortunately we see them also with having the greatest number of deaths,” said Tom Russo, a DHEC spokesman.
While health officials say all students who can get the vaccine should get it, two out of every three parents in Georgetown County schools and one-third of Horry County school parents won't allow their children to get vaccinated.
“The FDA did a number of clinical trials and they have approved the vaccine as a safe product and so they would not have done that if they did not feel it was a safe product to give to the population,” said Russo.
And that assurance is enough for Doyle.
She says she's glad her children got the H1N1 shot.
“I feel like the benefits far outweigh the risks at this point. This vaccine I feel like has from all that I've read has like any other flu vaccine just a different strain that goes into it and I feel like it's very safe,” said Doyle.
To find a schedule of flu clinics in Horry County schools click here: http://www.horrycountyschools.net/cms/One.aspx?pageId=3982315
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