Getting vaccinated

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District has administered the H1N1 “swine flu” vaccine to 832 public school students or 11 percent and two-thirds of the private schools students who submitted permission slips, according to health and school officials.

RRHD Director R. Dana Bradshaw said the state-regulated health agency began vaccinating both public and private school students and staff in Culpeper during the first week of November.

On Friday, 310 students and staff members at Sycamore Park Elementary School received the vaccine.

A total of 253 students and staff were vaccinated at Farmington Elementary on Nov. 4 and 269 Yowell Elementary students and staff on Nov. 6, according to Russell Houck, director of administrative services for Culpeper County Public Schools.

Among the private schools, St. Luke’s Lutheran and Epiphany Catholic were vaccinated in early November as well. Culpeper Christian School officials opted out of holding a clinic and are keeping parents informed of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for preventing the spread of germs.

CCPS is still working closely with the RRHD on coordinating vaccine “clinics” at the remaining seven public schools.

“I have been impressed with the (Virginia Department of Health) and how well the first (three) schools have handled this important project,” Houck said via e-mail. “We are learning as we do things, but overall I think we have communicated well to parents and have carried on our main focus (of) teaching and learning while also serving as health clinics.”

CCPS began sending permission slips to parents in October.

“No child will receive the H1N1 flu vaccine if we do not have a signed consent form from the parent or guardian,” Bradshaw wrote in a letter that’s posted on the school division’s Web site to parents and school officials.

Students ages 10 and up have the option of choosing the H1N1 “swine flu” nasal mist or shot. Students 10 and under must receive the shot.

Why Farmington, Yowell and Sycamore Park?

According to Houck, when VDH informs the school division of how many vaccines are available, school officials choose a school based on the number of vaccines requested.

“It gives the school a day or two notice beforehand,” Houck added. “Luckily as educators, we have experience with being flexible and making adjustments as needs dictate.”

There are a total of 7,486 students in Culpeper’s public school system.

According to Bradshaw, the H1N1 “swine flu” or influenza A continues to be widespread in Virginia with the percentage of flu-like sicknesses being seen by physician offices increasing considerably above baseline for this time of year over the last few weeks.

But that’s not the case locally.

Culpeper Regional Hospital spokeswoman Abra Hogarth said CRH medical workers are witnessing fewer patients with flu-like symptoms entering the hospital within the last few weeks.

In an effort to prevent the flu from spreading, RRHD held two free H1N1 “swine flu” vaccine clinics last Wednesday: One at Liberty High School in Bealeton and the other at Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper.

The RRHD also began administering free seasonal flu vaccines to local residents last Thursday at the Rappahannock Health Department.

Culpeper’s free seasonal flu clinic was held last Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Culpeper Health Department, 640 Laurel St.

So far, a total of 20,940 doses of the H1N1 “swine flu” vaccine have been shipped to the Rappahannock-Rapidan District. This number includes all health care providers both public and private, Bradshaw said.

The RRHD includes Culpeper, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock and Fauquier counties.

So far, no vaccines have been shipped to pharmacies for the general public, according to Bradshaw.

“We hope to be able to do that when supply improves,” Bradshaw said. “Supply of vaccine has remained limited due to production delays especially with injectable vaccine, so we continue to target the five key high risk and priority groups.”

The priority groups for the H1N1 “swine flu” vaccine include:

» All pregnant women
» All people 6 months through 24 years of age
» People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
» People ages 25 to 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from the flu
» Health care and emergency services personnel

Bradshaw added that pre-school children, children in day care and home-schooled children are also in the priority group and may be vaccinated through their private health care providers or the local health department.

“Eventually, we expect to have enough vaccine available to vaccinate everyone who wishes it,” Bradshaw added. “We appreciate everyone being patient as we endeavor to provide vaccine to those who need it as quickly as possible.”