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H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Updates

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Updates for the Parkland Community

November 16, 2009

Message from the Superintendent Regarding H1N1 Vaccine Clinic

 The Center for Disease Control and the Pa. Dept of Health recommend that all individuals in certain target groups receive a vaccine.  We are pleased to announce that the Department of Health will be conducting a free clinic this weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday November 20, 21, and 22.  The clinic will be held at the Pennsylvania Exposition Center, 501 Cetronia Rd. just off Schantz Road. Clinic hours will be 2:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday and Sunday and 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday. This location is conveniently located within our school district borders. 

 The FIVE target groups include:

  • Individuals between the ages of six months and 24 years;
  • Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months;
  • Pregnant women;
  • Healthcare providers and emergency medical services personnel;
  • Individuals under 65 years of age with underlying health conditions including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neuro-cognitive and neuromuscular disorders.

 Appointments can be made 24 hours a day at http://pasns.state.pa.us/VaccinationRegistration/.  Individuals without internet access can call 1-877-PA HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Phone lines are limited. 

 Anyone seeking vaccination should download an H1N1 vaccine consent form from the Dept. of Health web site at www.h1n1inpa.com/assets/media/Consent%20Form.pdf . The completed form should be brought with you to the vaccine clinic.  

This vaccine is strictly voluntary for Parkland School District students. As always we encourage all students and staff to stay healthy by washing their hands frequently and staying home until they are fever free and no longer showing flu-like symptoms.  Detailed information can be found on our web site at www.parklandsd.org. Thank you for your cooperation.   

October 22, 2009
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Now that we are into October, cases of the H1N1 and seasonal virus are starting to appear across the country and in our schools. Currently, here in Parkland, our attendance rate is strong. My purpose in posting this message is to remind you of some of the precautions that we ALL need to take to stay healthy.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that students with symptoms of the flu such as fever, sore throat and body aches contact their family doctor with questions or concerns. Vaccine-related questions should also be directed to your doctor. The CDC is recommending that children and adults in high risk categories get vaccinated against both the seasonal and H1N1 flu.

We are asking that students and staff stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. Our nursing staff will continue to send students home with fevers of 100 degrees or higher. Students with influenza-like symptoms may be provided a mask to suppress the spread of germs while waiting in the nurse’s office to go home.

We continue to encourage frequent hand washing and have provided hand sanitizer in strategic locations. Custodians are using proper disinfectants and increasing the frequency of cleaning as appropriate.

We are communicating with health department officials and have offered the use of our facilities for vaccine clinics in the future should this become necessary. Please refer to this web site for future updates.