Schools plan vaccine day

• By MARSHA SILLS
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Oct 29, 2009 - Page: 1BA

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LAFAYETTE — The H1N1 vaccine will be offered at sites within the Lafayette Parish School System on a Saturday, said Betty Alford, Lafayette Parish Schools nursing supervisor.

The details — such as a date and locations — are still being worked out, and parents will be informed when decisions are made, Alford said.

“We’re looking at different sites and areas where we could offer it on a Saturday,” Alford said. “We’re taking into mind transportation needs and accessibility for parents.”

As of now, more students will be included in the planning. Initially, vaccines were to be offered at school sites to students in grades Pre-K through fifth grade or up to age 9 years.

“The indication now is that it will be offered to Pre-K through 12th,” Alford said. “All this is dependent upon what is available in the vaccine and the number of doses.”

The Louisiana Office of Public Health extended its assistance with school-based vaccination clinics to all school districts.

The scheduling hinges on the availability of the vaccine.

Mass quantities will be needed and production and distribution of the vaccine has been slower than anticipated, said Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional public health director.

“We don’t know at this point, when we’ll have enough in the state to begin this because it will be a statewide school effort,” Stefanski said.

Stefanski said the vaccine clinics at school sites likely wouldn’t be scheduled until mid- to late-November.

She said the clinics will first be available to elementary schoolchildren.

“Then as we get more vaccine available, we’ll open it up to the high-school age,” Stefanski said.

School-age children under the age of 9 will be administered the nasal vaccine, which requires a follow-up dose of the vaccine, Alford said.