Birmingham, Ala.-- It appears H1N1 swine flu vaccination clinics will start in schools, after the Thanksgiving break.
Due to the delay in vaccine availability, state officials announced today, clinics are scheduled to begin Nov. 30. Children under 10, because they are at higher risk, will be vaccinated first.
According to state officials, Alabama K-12 parents should see information and consent forms for the H1N1 vaccine come home this week.
Beginning the week after Thanksgiving, this scene will be replayed in Alabama's schools. That's when H1N1 vaccination clinics are scheduled to start.
State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson said, "We begin for almost all school systems in the state a major undertaking, the week of November the 30th and that is to begin our school based vaccination clinics."
State School Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton said, "This is just for people who would like to have it performed at the school, free of charge, by a registered nurse."
Because of the limited supply of vaccine, the school based clinics will only vaccinate children under 10 years old. The main reason: they require two doses. And instead of an injection, the nasal mist will be provided at school clinics. Officials believe it will be less disruptive.
Dr. Morton said, "When you get a 5-year-old that has no family member in sight, the most loving caring nurse in the world with a needle in her hand, you got a potential for not full compliance."
Dr. Williamson said, "If you're dealing with children, 5, 6, 7, 8 years old and you're trying to give them injections without their parents there, you run the real risk of a number of those children even if the parents said please vaccinate them, those children declining to be vaccinated."
Officials hope to wrap up vaccinations of kids under 10 by Christmas and start with older children and teenagers in January.
When asked about the rest of the population, Dr. Williamson hopes it will be available to everyone by the end of December. According to health officials, this is the 11th week of the ongoing influenza outbreak in Alabama.
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