November 4, 2009
Health experts recommend vaccination as the best way to protect children against H1N1 and to prevent the spread of the virus. This letter contains important updates about how schools are working to keep students healthy during flu season, including important information about our free and voluntary vaccination program for all children.
Elementary schools with fewer than 400 students and a school nurse began offering H1N1 vaccines on Wednesday, October 28. Larger elementary schools began phasing in on Wednesday, November 4. To find out exactly when your child’s elementary school will offer the vaccine, click here and then click on your home borough. Elementary school students who miss the vaccine offered in school can also get the vaccine at the weekend clinics described below.
Middle and high school students can receive the vaccine starting this weekend: various weekend locations throughout the five boroughs will offer the vaccine between November 7 and December 13. Click here for a listing of dates and locations. Updated dates and locations for middle and high school vaccinations will be available at schools and online as more information becomes available. Please continue to check www.nyc.gov/flu for the latest information.
Parents must complete consent forms for their children to receive a vaccination. Schools are sending home consent forms and they are also available here along with other important information. Parents of elementary school children should complete and return these forms to school as soon as possible to ensure that their children receive the vaccine.
Middle and high school parents should NOT returns their forms to schools. They should bring the completed forms with them to the weekend vaccination events in November and December. Again, updated information about the dates and locations for these events will be posted at www.nyc.gov/flu.
Students age nine or younger require two doses of the vaccine. Schools will administer a second vaccine to children who require it four weeks after the first one.
If you have questions and/or concerns about H1N1, please visit www.nyc.gov/flu or contact your physician. All community members—adults and children alike—should remember to take basic precautions against the flu, like washing hands regularly and covering coughs. Working together, we can keep our students safe and healthy this flu season.