South West Health adds H1N1 clinics in schools to increase access to vaccine

South West Health has announced its latest list of H1N1 clinics, which this time also includes vaccination clinics in local schools, although those clinics are for students only.

The school clinics have been added as the health district has looked into how best to make the H1N1 vaccine available as widely as possible. With an increase in vaccine supply, it has been decided in partnership with the Tri-County Regional School Board to begin offering the H1N1 Flu Shot to students in schools starting this week.

Consent forms and additional information are being sent home to parents.

The H1N1 flu shot will be available to students in the following schools this week:

Tues. Dec. 1: Yarmouth high school, Shelburne high school and Digby high school

Wed. Dec. 2: Yarmouth Junior High, Barrington High, St. Mary’s Bay Academy

Thur. Dec. 3: Maple Grove, Lockeport high and elementary, Digby Elementary

Fri. Dec. 4: Meadowfields, Forest Ridge Academy, Carleton Consolidated "The plan is for Public Health staff to go to all schools in Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties. We are still working out the details with the Tri County Regional School Board and the CSAP," Fraser Mooney, a spokesperson for South West Health said on Monday. "We know weather can sometimes cause school cancellations which may prevent us from getting everywhere. In some cases, depending on the schedule, there may be opportunities to go back to a school if we miss one because of snow, but this might not always be the case."

Mooney said since the plan is to go to all schools, the clinics at a school will only be for students at that particular school. If some schools are missed, they will be asked to go to either a community clinic or their physicians’ office. "It is important for parents to know that consent forms and information is being sent home for parents to read, discuss with their children and to sign the consent if they wish," added Mooney. "Parents and guardians of a high school student should be aware that a student who understands the benefits and risks of immunization may choose to get their flu shot even if they don’t have a signed consent form."

Meanwhile, community health clinics are planned for the following areas this week, and more clinics will be announced for Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth Counties in the weeks ahead.

Digby Legion: Monday, Nov. 30, from 2 to 7 p.m.

Lockeport Fire Hall: Tuesday, Dec 1, from 2 to 7 p.m.

Weymouth Legion: Thursday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 7 p.m.

Yarmouth Burridge Campus, NSCC: Saturday, Dec. 5, from 11 to 4 p.m.

Barrington Lions Hall: Monday, Dec. 7 from 2 to 7 p.m.

Shelburne Fire Hall: Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 2 to 7 p.m.

Some physicians are also giving flu shots to their patients. People can call their doctor to check.