H1N1 info to Carteret schools on Monday

BEAUFORT — In cooperation with the local health department, the Carteret County school system will be sending information home with students Monday about a free, voluntary H1N1 vaccination program in the schools.

Packets will include a letter from Health Director Dr. J. T. Garrett, a consent form and two Vaccine Information Statements, the health department announced.

The schools’ Alert Now system will leave phone messages for parents and guardians about the forms coming home. The packet will also be on the schools system’s Web site.

Parents are asked to complete the consent form and return it the next day, Tuesday, to their child’s homeroom or classroom teacher.

After the consent forms are returned, the school system will work with the health department to schedule H1N1 vaccine clinics in the schools. The amount of vaccine coming in to the county has been limited up to now, so scheduling of the school clinics will depend on when and how much is available, the health department said.

Parents/guardians will receive an Alert Now message when a clinic is scheduled at their school and parents can come into the school to be with their children if they would like.

Parents who want their child vaccinated can indicate on the consent form if they prefer the H1N1 nasal spray or shot. The Health Department reminds parents that the nasal spray form, which contains live, but weakened virus, can be given only to healthy children who do not have asthma, diabetes or other chronic, long-term medical conditions. In addition, children under 10 will need two doses of the nasal mist or shot, at least 28 days apart, so parents of this age group will be notified of a second, follow-up school clinic.

Parents and guardians of students who are homebound and who have problems with transportation can call the Health Department to arrange for having their child vaccinated.