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2,162 get vaccinations Monday in Hillsborough schools

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2009

The Hillsborough County Health Department vaccinated 2,162 elementary students, their parents and teachers against the swine flu Monday at four after-school centers.

Health department workers delivered another 4,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine today to the centers, located from Brandon to Tampa. The three high schools and a technical center will be open from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Thursday, spokesman Steve Huard said.

Workers will return to five different sites next week, he said. Those are: Plant City, Sickles and Riverview high schools and Sulphur Springs Elementary School.

The after-school centers will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The centers will be closed on Wednesday, Veterans Day.

Elementary students must have a parent or guardian present and a signed permission slip. Students' siblings and parents also can get vaccinated, Huard said. The centers are offering the seasonal flu vaccine as well, he said.

Workers continue to provide more shots than nasal mist, Huard said, adding that he wished parents would heed recommendations from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The nasal spray is intended for people aged 2 to 49 who are in good health, the CDC has said.

It's painless, Huard added, and it doesn't contain the preservative Thimerosal, a subject of debate because it contains traces of mercury.

The spray does contain the live flu virus, but it's a weakened form that the CDC says will not cause or spread illness.

For more information about vaccination schedules go to www.sdhc.k12.fl.us and click on H1N1.

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144.

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