Students vaccinated for H1N1 at North Laurel, South Laurel high schools

Local News

November 23, 2009

By Tara Kaprowy The Sentinel-Echo Mon Nov 23, 2009, 01:28 PM EST

About 5,000 Laurel County residents are now vaccinated for H1N1, thanks in part to two clinics held at North and South Laurel high schools this week.

“We continue to get allocations of the vaccine in small amounts,” said Mark Hensley, executive director of the Laurel County Health Department. “Our plans are to hold another mass clinic some time shortly after Thanksgiving.”

During the vaccination process, Hensley said the public has been extremely respectful in allowing those who fall within the target groups, as designated by the Centers for Disease Control, to get their vaccinations first.

“Last night at South High, we had people come through the line with their children who declined to get (the shot) until all the kids had one,” he said. “They’ve been very cooperative with those efforts.”

People who fall within the target groups are:

• Pregnant women

• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months.

• Health care and emergency medical services workers.

• Children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years, especially those with chronic health problems

• People ages 25 to 64 with chronic health problems.

Hensley said he’s also noted people have upped their hand-washing efforts.

“You see sanitizers everywhere you go,” he said. “I think people are avoiding large crowds as well. And people are staying home. The personal hygiene, the hand washing, we’ve seen an increase in that.”

Hensley noted the number of H1N1 cases so far in Laurel County is lower than surrounding counties.

In terms of seasonal flu vaccine, Hensley said he anticipates receiving doses after Thanksgiving. The CDC has not released guidelines for whom should be given priority for seasonal flu vaccine.

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.

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Students vaccinated for H1N1 at North Laurel, South Laurel high schools

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