Swine flu clinics for schoolchildren will open in January

By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 25, 2009

» Comments | Post a Comment

TAMPA --

Evening clinics will open the second week of January for Hillsborough County children needing a second dose of the swine flu vaccine.

The Hillsborough County Health Department has been holding vaccination clinics at local public and private schools since October. Visits to the area's middle and high schools are complete, health department spokesman Steve Huard said.

The only events planned now involve after-hours clinics for elementary school-age children, many of whom need a second dose of the vaccine. Children 9 years and younger need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, at least 21 days apart, in order for it to be effective.

Evening clinics that offer the follow-up to the free vaccination will start Jan. 11. Parents will get specific information about the clinics through their child's school.

Huard said it is critical that parents bring to the clinic proof of the earlier dose of the vaccine. Doses will not be effective unless they are administered far enough apart.

Reporter Mary Shedden can be reached at (813) 259-7365.