***H1N1 Vaccine Information***

School Vaccine Clinic Information
Click here to view the Flu Clinic Layout

The school vaccine clinic will be held at the school on Tuesday November 10, 2009 from 4-8 pm for all Fr. John V. Doyle students in grades K-8.  Children who do not attend the school cannot receive the vaccine at this clinic. A consent form must be completed for each student in order to receive the vaccine. 
All consent forms should be returned to the school before Tuesday.  Any student who comes to the clinic without a consent form will have to wait until the end of the clinic to be vaccinated.
Please review the following information to prepare for the clinic:
Vaccine Information Statement
General Questions and Answers on Thimerosal
General Questions and Answers on Guillan-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Flu Clinic Layout

Please have children wear a short sleeve shirt as vaccine will be given to upper arm.
 

Other information:
The vaccine administered during the clinic will be injectable only (the "shot" version).  The nasal mist will not be available at the clinic.
An outside agency and volunteer medical personnel will be administering the vaccines, which will include nurses, pharmacists and EMT's. (Please note that I will be here during the clinic but I will not be vaccinating any children).
Children under 10 will need a second vaccine, which will most likely be administered in January at a second school vaccine clinic.
For a listing of all Rhode Island School based vaccine clinics, click on the link below:

School H1N1 Vaccine Clinics

Is the H1N1 Vaccine Safe?
The H1N1 vaccines will be produced using the same manufacturing process as seasonal influenza vaccines. All seasonal influenza vaccines licensed in the United States are produced in eggs and they do not contain adjuvants. When seasonal influenza vaccines are administered according to licensed indication and usage information they are safe; however vaccines, like any medical product, carry some risks. It is anticipated that the safety profile of licensed 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccines will be similar to seasonal influenza vaccines; serious adverse events after vaccination are uncommon.

In 1976, a type of influenza vaccine was associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Since then, influenza vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS. However, if there is a risk of GBS from seasonal influenza vaccines, it would be no more than approximately 1 additional case per million persons vaccinated. 

The H1N1 vaccine will be manufactured, tested, and licensed using the same process and facilities as are used for seasonal flu vaccines. This means that the H1N1 vaccine will be held to the same safety standards as seasonal flu vaccines. There are manydifferent strains of the flu, including H1N1. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against thethree strains of the flu most likely to make people sick each year. A separate vaccine for the H1N1 strain is only being produced this year because H1N1 emerged after seasonal flu vaccine production had begun. The manufacturing process for both vaccines is exactly the same. Next year, the H1N1 strain will be included in the regular seasonal flu vaccine.

Other Frequently Asked Questions:

*Does the H1N1 vaccine have any side effects?
Some people may experience mild side effects after receiving the H1N1 vaccine, just like they do after receiving the seasonal flu vaccine. Side effects may include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, aches, or a low-grade fever. If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and last about 1-2 days. The likelihood of serious side effects to flu vaccines is very low, and officials continually monitor new vaccines for safety and efficacy.

*Is it safe to receive the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine at the
same time?
It is expected that people will be able to receive the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine at the same time. However, the seasonal flu vaccine will be available sooner than the H1N1 vaccine. For this reason, the Rhode Island Department of Health(HEALTH) encourages people to get their seasonal flu vaccines as soon as possible instead of waiting for the H1N1 vaccine to arrive.

*Does the H1N1 vaccine contain thimerosal?

TheThe majority of H1N1 vaccine will be packaged in multi-dose vials and will contain thimerosal, a preservative found in some vaccines. There is no evidence that thimerosal is harmful to anyone, including pregnant women and their developing babies. 

The Department of Health mailed out consent forms and letters regarding the H1N1 vaccine school clinics.  A form is needed for each student- please do not put 2 names on one form.  For a copy of the letter that went home, a blank consent form, or a copy of the H1N1 Vaccine Information Statement, please see the links below:
 

   * Consent Letter from Department of Health
   * H1N1 Vaccine Consent Form 
   * H1N1 Vaccine Information Sheet 

What are symptoms of the flu? (either seasonal or 2009 H1N1):

Fever (100.0F or greater)
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue
Sometimes vomiting and/or diarrhea

How can you avoid getting the flu?

Get vaccinated
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze-use a tissue, not your hands to cover your mouth. 
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand rub frequently.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth- this spreads germs.
Avoid close or social contact with sick people.
If you are sick, STAY HOME AND REST!
If your child is sick, they need to stay home and rest too!
Teach your children to wash their hands frequently.

For Additional Information regarding the H1N1 virus and vaccine, please visit the following sites:
   * Flu.gov
   * Rhode Island Department of Health
   * CDC
   * WebMD
 
 
 

    If a student is to be absent, the parent is to notify the school at 821-3756 between 7:30 & 8:45am with a brief explanation as to why he/she is out. Please let us know what symptoms your child is experiencing and if he/she has a fever (fever is a temperature of 100.0F or greater). 

Reminder: Medications Dispensed at School

Per RI Rules and Regulations; medications, including over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Motrin, cannot be carried or distributed without a physician's consent form. Medications must also be in their original containers labeled with the child's name and dosage as well as the expiration date.  If you need a consent form, see bottom of this page to download and print a blank copy.

Medication Consent Form
Physical Exam & Immunizations Form