NBC29Clinics Canceled Due to Vaccine Shortage
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Many of the schools in the Thomas Jefferson Health District are canceling their scheduled H1N1 flu clinics because of the shortage of the vaccine.
Thirty-two schools in the health district have been given the vaccine since the vaccination program began in mid October, leaving about 31 public and private schools yet to receive the swine flu shot.
"We did set up a program to be able to do all of our schools within two weeks so we had that initial program set up and we started off meeting that schedule," said Dr. Lilian Peake, Thomas Jefferson Health District Director.
Every day many pre-scheduled swine flu clinics at schools are being postponed and rescheduled. The health district expects the inoculation effort to continue at least through December with the current delay.
"So we have just looked at every day how much vaccine do we have, can we do the schools that are on the schedule and when we haven't had vaccine then we have just postponed the schools," said Peake.
Charlottesville City Schools are up-dating parents with letters and posting cancellation information on school web sites. So far, most parents have been understanding. "But I've had parents call to find out if we know when the dates will be rescheduled, asking questions, should they be trying to get it from their doctors, but doctors don't have it either," said Beth Baptist, Director of Special Education and Student Services at Charlottesville City Schools.
Walker Upper Elementary School, Buford Middle School and Charlottesville High school have not had an H1N1 clinic yet.
All of the six elementary schools have received the first dose of the vaccine but students nine and under still have to get the second shot when it becomes available again. The Thomas Jefferson Health District said most of the elementary schools will have to get two doses of the vaccine. That's what's recommend for children age nine and younger.
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