CDH offers flu vaccinations to students

In October, the Central District Health Department visited four Mountain Home elementary schools to provide students with flu vaccine.

CDHD is returning this week to proved students with a second dose of vaccine.

The heath district visited West Elementary School on Monday and will be at North and East elementary schools Thursday, Dec. 8.

Children up to the age of 8 who didn't receive the flu vaccine last year, are those in need of the second dose of vaccine to insure they are fully immunized, CDHD officials said.

Parents have been sent reminders that their children need a second dose of flu vaccine. The process is exactly the same as it was for the first dose. Parents will be provided with the forms they need to fill out so their children can be vaccinated. The forms will also be available online at cdhd.idaho.gov.

There is no charge for the flu vaccine itself, but an administration fee will be billed to a family's insurance, so those participating should send insurance information with their child. If the family has no insurance they will be billed $14.34 for vaccine administration. Financial assistance may be provided for uninsured clients on a sliding fee scale. Provide information on household size and income.

No one will be denied a vaccination because of an inability to pay.

Any questions about the school-based flu clinics should be directed to the CDHD Immunization Department at 587-4407.

The flu is unpredictable, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that anywhere from 5percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu each season. Flu season usually peaks in January and February, so getting children vaccinated now will provide protection over the holidays and for the rest of the flu season.

This year's vaccine contains the same three strains of virus as last year's vaccine:

* An A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)--like virus,

* An A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)--like virus,

* A B/Brisbane/60/2008--like virus.

The A/California strain is the same H1N1 virus that caused the 2009 flu pandemic. Even if your child got the seasonal flu vaccine last year, the CDC is still recommending vaccination this year as immunity tends to wane over time.

For more information about the flu and vaccinations, visit the CDHD website at www.cdhd.idaho.gov.