WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Schools begin giving flu shots

Schools begin giving flu shots

By Stephanie Bell Flynt - bio | email

BRANDON, MS (WLBT) Some school districts are gearing up for battle as the regular flu season begins. Other than practicing good hygiene, there was nothing people could do to fight H1N1 early in the school year. But that helplessness is about to subside.

It's a sight we haven't seen in about 40 years: School students lining up for immunizations. Dozens of students at Northshore Elementary are getting the shots, some with challenging excitement.

"I've never seen someone so eager to get their flu shot," said Melanie Harrell, Rankin County Schools nurse practitioner.

Rankin County is the first school district in the state to offer seasonal flu vaccinations to both students and teachers.

"It's the smallest (needle) we can use," said Harrell. "It may not be the shortest one, but it is the smallest one. These are actually prefilled syringes. It moves a lot faster because we don't have to draw them up."

One reason Rankin County is offering the flu shots is they've already had a high number of absences from swine flu. So it only makes since to try to cut those absences in the coming months.

"I know whether you are a teacher or a student, every day you miss is about three days when you begin to try to make up those days," said assistant Rankin County superintendent Christy Maulding.

Dr. Maulding says the seasonal flu vaccines cost parents $25 each, but once the H1N1 swine flu vaccinations roll out, the federal government is offering them for free.

"We will be following this up, we hope, in november with an H1N1 vaccination clinic as well," said Maulding. "So especially with the combination of the two, I think we should see some response from it.

About 450 Rankin County students have signed up to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Educators say they hope to offer this every year and incorporate Medicare and Medicaid coverage.