WTHR |Marion County begins H1N1 vaccine clinics at area schools

Marion County begins H1N1 vaccine clinics at area schools

Rich Van Wyk/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - For the first time since the outbreak began, nearly 3,000 Indianapolis students lined up for H1N1 vaccinations at school Monday. Thousands more will get the FluMist version of the vaccine Tuesday.

County health officials are starting an unprecedented effort to protect children from the virus.

At IPS School 69, Melik wanted no part of it. The inoculation seemed scarier than the possibility of getting sick.

"It doesn't hurt. It feels like water up your nose," a nurse reassured him. "There is no needle. It won't hurt."

Most children were spared the needle and received the nasal spray vaccine on the first day of mass H1N1 inoculations held in Marion County schools.

But Judy Miller, the principal at Moorhead Elementary, was relieved to find the clinic working more quickly than expected.

Nearly three-fourths of the parents signed up their children.

"So three-fourths that are here today to have their immunizations; we found out that others have already had theirs so it is a tremendous turnout," said Miller.

Marion County's department wants the city's 161,000 school children vaccinated by the end of December, half of them during school day clinics.

Along with IPS, Decatur, Pike, Perry, Wayne, Washington and Warren Townships, and Speedway schools are participating in this first series of clinics.

Educators don't want the mass inoculations getting in the way of children getting an education. They are trying to make these days no more disruptive than a typical school picture day. At IPS 69 children filed through one class at a time.

H1N1 outbreaks have sent absenteeism soaring in dozens of Indiana schools. The principal hopes to prevent one here.

"We want them here. We need them here to learn. Every day they miss school, they miss six hours of instruction," said Sue Fries, IPS 69 principal.

In the end, Melik gave in and got the inoculation. If the vaccine doesn't keep H1N1 and the doctor away, perhaps the apple nurses used to bribe him will.

Health officials are beginning with elementary schools. They are working in ten schools every day for ten days. Starting November 30th, immunization clinics will move into middle schools and high schools.

Marion County health officials are predicting about 50 percent participation. Nationally, participation rates have ranged from 30 to 70 percent.

The vaccine clinics are voluntary and children need a signed consent form to get vaccinated.  Students who do not have a signed consent form or who miss the deadline will not be eligible for the vaccine.

The health department is receiving shipments everyday of 5,000 to 7,000 doses so they hope to have enough to meet demand. They say if there is a disruption in supply and the schedule of clinics has to be altered, elementary schools will remain the priority.

Marion County Health Department Flu Helpline: 221-3366. The bilingual helpline is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Meanwhile in Johnson County, the Health Department is holding public H1N1 clinics at the Johnson County Fairgrounds Monday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm, Nov. 17th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and Nov. 18th from 7:00 to 11:00 am for high-risk groups only.

Additional info:

Parents must sign a consent form in order for their child to get the vaccine.

List of schools which will give the vaccine Monday:

Pike Central Elementary, 6801 Zionsville Road. Phone: 298-2780

Perry Clinton Young, 5740 McFarland Road. Phone: 789-3400

Washington Allisonville, 4900 E. 79th Street. Phone: 845-9441

Warren Moorehead, 8400 E. 10th Street. Phone: 532-3850

Wayne Westlake, 271 N. Sigsbee Street. Phone: 244-9759

IPS School 69, 3421 N. Keystone. Phone: 226-4269

IPS School 60, 3330 N. Pennsylvania. Phone: 226-4260

IPS School 27, 545 E. 19th Street. Phone: 226-4227

IPS School 74, 1601 E. 10th Street. Phone: 226-4274

IPS School 31, 307 E. Lincoln. Phone: 226-4231

See a complete list.

Flu info