Email
Print
Students come out for flu vaccines
Photo by James Nix
Sidney Gray, a seventh-grader at Kannapolis Middle School, receives a flu vaccination from Crystal Seamon at the Cabarrus Health Alliance Monday afternoon.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 21, 2009
KANNAPOLIS — Hannah Sheppard, 13, and Kristina Sheppard, 11, both received their first seasonal flu vaccines on Monday at the Cabarrus Health Alliance.
For the two Harris Road Middle School students, the vaccine was a little different than the way some people received it.
"It felt like water going up your nose," Kristina Sheppard said. "It kind of tickled and made our eyes water."
Both received the flu mist during the after-school seasonal flu vaccine clinic at the Health Alliance.
About 500 students in grades 4-12 were registered to receive the seasonal flu vaccinations on Monday, and there were no open reservations available by the time it began.
For some students, like the Sheppards, it was their first time receiving the seasonal flu vaccinations.
There were many reasons why students and their parents wanted it this year, but a common concern was because the seasonal flu and H1N1 have received more attention this year.
"There's been so many people getting sick," said Laura Gray, of Kannapolis, whose son, Sidney, 12, a student at Kannapolis Middle School, received his first seasonal flu vaccine on Monday. "I didn't want him to be sick."
That is a common concern, making more people likely to receive the seasonal flu shot, said Judy Lawrence, clinical nurse specialist, communicable diseases, for the Cabarrus Health Alliance.
"I've heard people who have never had the flu shot before want it (this year)," Lawrence said. "Whenever there's a shortage of the vaccine or if there's a lot of people getting sick, there's more concern for prevention."
Monday's clinic was the second effort for the Health Alliance, allowing students to be vaccinated, as part of a state initiative.
About 800 doses of the seasonal flu mist vaccine were given to students in September, Health Alliance staff members said.
There were more mists given on Monday, which many students said was like getting water up their nose and not painful.
While everyone at the after-school clinic agreed it was important to receive the seasonal flu vaccine, opinions were mixed about receiving the H1N1 vaccine in the future.
"I don't know about that," said Randa Street, of Concord and mother to Kaitlin and Nicole, both 9. "I think they need to do more testing. It's a little too early for that."
While some agreed with her and said the seasonal flu shot would be enough for them, others said they wanted to also receive the H1N1 vaccine.
"We'd like to (receive it) if we can get it," said Jennifer Fournier, of Concord and mother to Courtney and Christine, both 9. "I've had a lot of friends (whose) children have come down with it."
Valerie Crayton, of Kannapolis, said she will decide after she does research about the H1N1 vaccine.
Staff members for the Cabarrus Health Alliance said the H1N1 vaccine will be distributed in a few weeks, when there is enough available, and encouraged visiting www.cabarrushealth.org for more information.
• Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Click a region for news specific to that area.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Advertisement
