H1N1 vaccines available for Williamsburg County students

Elementary students in Williamsburg County School District will be able to receive H1N1, or swine flu, vaccinations at their school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18-19, Bonnie King, the district’s director of public relations, said in a press release issued Friday.

DHEC personnel, along with district nurses, parenting liaison, and selected staff members will assist students during clinics. Parents are welcome to attend clinics while their children are receiving vaccinations.

The district will offer clinics at Hemingway, Cades-Hebron and St. Mark elementary schools Nov. 18. Clinics will be at W.M. Anderson Primary, Kingstree Elementary, Greeleyville Elementary and D. P. Cooper Elementary schools Nov. 19. Dates for additional clinics within the district will be announced later.

Children through age 9 will need two doses of the vaccine, about one month apart. The second round of the vaccine also will be given at clinics within district schools, King said.

“Parents are encouraged to carefully read information that has been sent home regarding the increasing need for all children to be protected against this new flu virus,” La-Dine’ Gamble, the district’s coordinator of special projects and program evaluations/after-school programs, said in the release.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the H1N1 influenza vaccine to anyone age 6 months through 24; anyone 25 through 64 with certain chronic medical conditions; health care and emergency medical personnel; people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months old; and pregnant women.

Parents who have questions about the vaccine can call DHEC at (800) 27-SHOTS.