H1N1 vaccinations begin at county schools

Tuolumne County Health Department Nurse Practitioner Marsha Malgesini gives a nasal vaccination to Soulsbyville Elementary School first-grader Olivia Lang, of Sonora. Amy Alonzo Rozak/Union Democrat, copyright 2009

Schools are being targeted first because children are at a higher risk for H1N1, otherwise known as swine flu.
 

Dr. Todd Stolp, public health officer for Tuolumne County, said the school vaccinations have been going “absolutely terrific.” Elementary schools where students have already been vaccinated include Tenaya, Columbia and Soulsbyville.

Tuolumne County has about 3,300 vaccines left after giving nearly 500 doses to Sonora Regional Medical Center to vaccinate health care workers.

Calaveras County has received two shipments of vaccines — one with 4,200 doses and the other with 2,100 doses. About 350 doses have been given to Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital employees in San Andreas.

Vaccinations — which start Wednesday at elementary schools in Copperopolis, San Andreas and Valley Springs — last through Nov. 16.

The Calaveras County Public Health Department plans to host two community clinics later this month.

Dr. Dean Kelaita, public health officer for Calaveras County, said he’s heard some parents express concern about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine.

“All of the information we have and what the science shows is that the vaccine is safe,” he said.

Stolp said about half the students were getting vaccinated when the clinics started two weeks ago, but that number has since dropped to about 30 percent.

"We don’t expect all families to use the school-based clinics,” he said, noting that people are also being encouraged to contact their family doctor or pharmacy.

There have been four hospitalized cases of H1N1 in Tuolumne County and three in Calaveras County. All of those patients have recovered, health officials said.

To prevent the flu, health officials suggest covering coughs, washing hands and staying home when sick.

“Most H1N1 illness has been similar to seasonal flu,” Kelaita said. “Persons who develop signs of serious illness, including difficulty breathing, confusion or lethargy, severe or persistent vomiting, and improvement followed by a return of fever and worse cough should contact their doctor.”