Students, high-risk groups receive H1N1 vaccine

BARSTOW • More than 200 students in the Barstow Unified School District, along with family members and anyone else labeled in high-risk groups got vaccinated for the H1N1 influenza Tuesday.

Nurses contracted with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health administered residents with either the nasal FluMist or an injection to guard against the virus at a free clinic at Montara Elementary School.

Both school districts will host additional vaccination clinics this week — at Barstow High School Wednesday, and in Silver Valley Unified School District at Yermo School Thursday.

A line of about 200 people formed at Montara as county health officials let in one family at a time. Four nurses gave the shot or nasal spray, including one “mobile nurse” who was able to go to residents who came but were either disabled and unable to leave their vehicles or elderly and would have difficulty waiting in line, according to Joni James, director of pupil services.

Michelle Carter bought her three children to get the shot. Carter said she and her youngest son, Joshua, 8, both have asthma.

“I worry about him getting sick a lot,” she said.

For BUSD, parents will need to accompany children under age 18 and present a signed consent form, James said.
BUSD has had three or four confirmed cases of H1N1, said James, and so far they’ve all been at the elementary level. But most of the cases haven’t appeared critical, she noted.

“By the time we get notification, the kids have been back in school for a week or more,” she said.

Aaron Haughton, Silver Valley Unified School District assistant superintendent of administration, said he’s unsure exactly how many confirmed cases have been reported in SVUSD. An initial outbreak at fort schools in late September resulted in 15 students with confirmed cases of H1N1, and were among 50 cases reported at Fort Irwin. As of Nov. 5, fort officials reported having 147 confirmed cases on post.

According to Haughton, the numbers are not out of the ordinary when compared to the seasonal flu.

“We’re still looking at a very typical flu season,” he said.

Both school districts will offer follow-up clinics in January for children under age 10 who are recommended to get a second dose of the H1N1 vaccine four weeks after the first inoculation, according to the county department of health. Community members who miss this week’s clinics can also get vaccinated then, said James, however an additional follow-up clinic for children under 10 will not be offered.

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(760) 256-4122 or elee@desertdispatch.com