School flu shot clinics cancelled
The Sheboygan County Division of Public Health has announced that school–located H1N1 vaccine clinics throughout Sheboygan County have been cancelled.
Attention will be placed on community clinics to vaccinate both the school-aged children and the rest of the community who are considered to have risk factors.
When the vaccine campaign was initially developed, the primary focus of Public Health was to vaccinate the well school aged child and assist medical providers in vaccinating those with risk factors that could lead to complications from influenza. It became evident that limited, sporadic vaccine supplies would make this impossible. As vaccine supplies gradually increased, the need to vaccinate the “at risk” individual and the school-aged child were still equally present.
Community clinics allow for a larger group of people to have access to H1N1 vaccine in an all-inclusive setting. Since Nov. 24, the criteria for eligibility being followed by the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health includes: pregnant women, household contacts of pregnant women due to deliver in the next six weeks, families and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months (including daycare workers), Healthcare workers and Emergency Medical Services staff, all people 6 months to 24 years and, anyone regardless of age with chronic medical conditions that put them at risk of flu-related complications.
Thousands have already attended Sheboygan County Division of Public Health community clinics including many students. The Division of Public Health hopes that more families will use this free community-located service to assist any children still in need of H1N1 vaccine or for providing a second dose for students under age 10.
Clinics will be held throughout Sheboygan County. For a complete list of scheduled clinics and eligibility requirements please call 2-1-1 or go online to the 2-1-1 flu locator website at www.wisconsinfluclinic.info or the Sheboygan County Web site at www.co.sheboygan.wi.us/clinics.htm.
