Students urged to get vaccinated to head off H1N1 virus
krem.com
Posted on August 13, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Updated Friday, Aug 13 at 5:37 PM
SPOKANE -- The start of school is just around the corner and that means the beginning of flu season. But the big question is will the H1N1 virus be as serious as last year.
Thousands of people across the area swarmed local vaccination clinics last years as the number of swine flu cases reached epidemic proportions. The problem then was scientists had not seen that strain of swine flu in more than 60 years. And the human immune system was also unfamiliar with it.
The flu hit hardest for college students. Washington State University saw 2,500 people come down with flu like symptoms last year. At one point, Gonzaga University saw 80 cases in two days. While in just one week, the University of Idaho saw 200 students. For those numbers alone, the health district is urging all students to get vaccinated this year.
You only need one shot this year. Scientists have combined the seasonal flu, with last year's H1N1 strain, along with two others. They should start seeing shipments by the end of September. There will be a number of school-based clinics. Colleges will also offer free shots to every student.
New this year is a flu shot for people 65 years and older. Some people with a compromised immune system will use a higher dose of the medicine.
Parents can schedule their kids' immunizations with the Spokane Regional Health District by calling the Public Health Clinic at (509) 324-1600. The SRHD's flu hotline is (509) 324-1643. SRHD also offers these FREE walk-in school immunization clinics:
8/21/2010 - Arcadia Elementary, Deer Park, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
8/24/2010 - Arlington Elementary, 10:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.
8/25/2010 - Madison Elementary, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
8/26/2010 - Farwell Elementary, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
8/31/2010 - Shiloh Hills Elementary, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
9/21/2010 - Farwell Elementary, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
9/23/2010 - East Valley Middle School, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
9/30/2010 - Shiloh Hills Elementary, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
10/06/2010 - Centennial Middle School, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
10/07/2010 - Arthur Ness Elementary, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.


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