In an effort to ensure consistency of messages, we have listed the questions recently posed by school personnel and HCPH subsequent answers. We will notify you if information changes.

Parent Consent Form Packet Questions and Answers

Q: Are five year olds who are currently enrolled in preschool eligible?

A: Children enrolled in preschool are not eligible to receive the vaccine at the school POD. Parents should contact their child’s pediatrician.

Q: Can family members of faculty and staff family receive the vaccine at the school POD? 

Only staff (who fall into a priority population*) and students are eligible to receive the vaccine at the school POD.

* CDC identified several priority groups that are recommended to receive the H1N1 vaccination:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency services personnel who have direct patient contact
• Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age
• People ages 25 through 64 years with chronic health disorders or weakened immune systems

Q: With students possibly getting the flu mist at school, are there any concerns with our students, personnel, families that have immuno-compromised systems being around them? 

A: there should be no concern with immuno-compromised folks being around folks who received the FluMist. While it is a live vaccine, it has been genetically changed to make it less contagious.

Q: If a child turns 10 after the first shot, should they get the second one?

A: It is up to the parent in consultation with the child's medical provider.

Q: Will the pediatrician's office be giving the H1N1 shots after the school distribution to encourage parents to do the school distribution or will parents have the option at the same time (I know they can get one if they don't get the school one but I thought it would be later than the school one unless they were pre-school or special needs liek immunocompromised)?

A: We do not know the timing of vaccine distribution to private providers. So an answer to this question is not clear.

Q: I wanted to make sure I had it straight that the students will take their consent forms with them to the vaccinators after they check in at the front table of the clinic?  Is there someone from HCHD at that table or just school personnel?

A: The first "station" at the clinic is the vaccinator station.  There is no registration table prior to this. Students should have their consent forms with them when they enter the clinic.  Schools are handling this differently.  For example at some schools forms may be given to the students in homeroom the day of the clinic. This is up to the individual schools.

Q: Are the immunizations all being given in the arm or for our smaller students, will they use the leg?  What gauge needle will they be using?

A: Children over the age of 3 can receive vaccine in their upper arm. We do not know the specifics on the supplies that will be shipped with the vaccine.

Q: What is considered a completed form?  (Ex: if a parent leaves of the date of birth, do they have to send back the form)  In other words….which fields are required at a minimum for the student to receive the vaccine?

A: Date of birth is needed for registration of patient specific information. If school has the date and are willing to supply it then form does not need to go back to family. AT minimum need child's name, with middle initial if have one, complete street address with zip code and date of birth.