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Published Wednesday, April 15, 2009 in Local

6 schools will offer nasal influenza vaccine

By Brenda Pedraza-Vidamour

The Times-Herald

At least six elementary schools in Coweta County will offer a nasal influenza vaccine next fall under a new "Flu-Free Schools" program introduced to school board members Tuesday night by representatives from Academic Clinics, LLC.

The program, which uses FluMist nasal vaccine for students, is offered in collaboration with District 4 Public Health Services, county health departments, Emergency Medical Services, nursing schools and the Foundation for Education, according to Steve McCoy, Academic Clinics' president and medical director.

Dr. David Derrer, also with Academic Clinics, informed the board of flu statistics for school-age children, including the numbers that less than 20 percent of the children are vaccinated annually against the flu although they are two to three times as likely to catch it and spread it to adults. The Centers for Disease Control recommends immunizing school-age children annually.

The program's objectives are to increase flu vaccine protection among students, faculty and staff. Derrer said reducing flu-related illnesses will help schools with student and staff absenteeism.

"The benefits of the program are improved health of students, faculty, family and community," he said.

Superintendent Blake Bass, who also serves on the county's health department board, will select the six schools and let the health department know which ones at the health board's next meeting. Public health nurses will oversee the student and staff immunizations.

"The program has several safeguards and it's by parental permission only," he said.

The district will designate a school nurse or other person to serve as the program's coordinator. The coordinator will identify an empty classroom or gym and distribute the information about the program and consent forms to the parents.

The flu vaccine clinics will be offered at no cost to the schools and at a low cost for families with private health insurance. McCoy said District 4 Public Health Services will determine the cost of the vaccine for those with insurance, but it will be offered at no cost to students who are eligible for Medicaid.

The clinics' 2008 pilot program was completed in Pike County at four of its schools. Pike is one of the 12 counties served in District 4. From that experience, Derrer said the clinics were set up at the schools for about two to three hours, but the process would take only about five to 10 minutes for each student. About 44-50 clinics are planned so far in other District 4 counties.

In other business, Bass also informed the board of his decision to keep the costs for other groups to rent school facilities the same for next year, except for rental of kitchens, which will be increased from $20 to $75 per hour. Bass said utility and labor costs will also be increased as proposed because the increases reflect "fair market value" for the rates and costs.

New utility fees per hour would be -- $4 per classroom, $15 per lunchroom, $10 per multipurpose room and $20 per gymnasium. Custodial services will increase from $18 to $21 per hour.

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