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Updated: 5:38 PM Dec 1, 2009
H1N1 Vaccinations Start in Rockford Schools
H1N1 vaccines began Tuesday in the Rockford school district. District leaders say it's just part of the plan to protect students and keep them healthy. 23 News reporter Adam Behrman shows us why school administrators say the vaccines are a necessary precaution.
Posted: 5:17 PM Dec 1, 2009 |
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"It didn't even hurt. It really didn't" says Rockford Superintendent LaVonne Sheffield. Her words of encouragement may have soothed the fears of Carlson Elementary students waiting to get their H1N1 vaccinations, but Sheffield is more concerned parents understand the importance and safety provided by these inoculations.
"I'm told by the CDC and the health department that this is an issue. They can produce the data. It is our obligation to respond. Parents have a choice. We recognize they have a choice, but we are offering it and we are hoping they participate." adds Sheffield.
Winnebago County Health Department Director of Public Health Mike Bacon says flu activity is higher than normal right now and it is important high risk populations, such as children, get the vaccine.
"The higher proportion of the population that is vaccinated, it does a more thorough job of preventing the spread across the community." says Bacon.
The schools are doing all they can to make sure everyone has access to the shot, but it is ultimately the parent's decision. Dave and Sheryl Crowell were there to see their son Jacob get his shot.
"We think it's probably a good idea to go ahead and get the shot, just to be on the safe side. I know every parent has to make their own decision based on what they think, but from who we have talked to and everything, we think it's a good idea." says Dave Crowell.
Vaccinations started today in Rockford's elementary schools and will finish in the city high schools next week.
Students need a parental consent form before they could get the shots. So far over twelve-thousand doses have been administered by the Winnebago County Health Department.
About half of all public and private schools in Winnebago County.. outside of Rockford have already administered H1N1 vaccinations and the others should be done by the holiday break.
All school districts in Stephenson and Boone counties except for Belvidere and Belvidere North have also received the vaccine and students at those two high schools will get them next week.
