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Swine flu shots make rounds at Pasco schools
By RONNIE BLAIR
Published: November 30, 2009
TRINITY - Mitchell High School sophomore Stephanie Villatoro braced herself as nurse Cathy Sage prepared to administer the swine flu vaccine last week but, as it turned out, there was no worry.
"It wasn't bad," Villatoro, 16, said. "I didn't feel it."
Villatoro was one of about 340 Mitchell High students who lined up in the school media center to get the shots Tuesday just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
In addition, 86 school staff members got the shots, which were administered through the Pasco County Health Department. The department contracted with a nursing agency to assist with the task.
The Pasco County School District will continue with immunizations this week, but is now more than halfway through its efforts to make the swine flu vaccine available at every public school in the county.
Students and staff have been vaccinated at all 45 elementary schools and four charter schools, and now the focus has turned to high schools and middle schools.
Lisa Kern, nursing supervisor for the school district, said the district should finish the high schools and middle schools in early December. After that, the vaccination teams will return to the elementary schools for another round because children 9 and younger need two doses.
The process should be completed by the time the school district breaks for the winter vacation Dec. 23. So far, the vaccination effort has progressed "wonderfully," Kern said.
In the elementary schools, participation has ranged from about 25 percent at some schools to 50 percent at others, which is in line with what the district anticipated, Kern said.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/30/na-swine-flu-shots-make-rounds-at-pasco-schools/
By RONNIE BLAIR
Published: November 30, 2009
TRINITY - Mitchell High School sophomore Stephanie Villatoro braced herself as nurse Cathy Sage prepared to administer the swine flu vaccine last week but, as it turned out, there was no worry.
"It wasn't bad," Villatoro, 16, said. "I didn't feel it."
Villatoro was one of about 340 Mitchell High students who lined up in the school media center to get the shots Tuesday just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
In addition, 86 school staff members got the shots, which were administered through the Pasco County Health Department. The department contracted with a nursing agency to assist with the task.
The Pasco County School District will continue with immunizations this week, but is now more than halfway through its efforts to make the swine flu vaccine available at every public school in the county.
Students and staff have been vaccinated at all 45 elementary schools and four charter schools, and now the focus has turned to high schools and middle schools.
Lisa Kern, nursing supervisor for the school district, said the district should finish the high schools and middle schools in early December. After that, the vaccination teams will return to the elementary schools for another round because children 9 and younger need two doses.
The process should be completed by the time the school district breaks for the winter vacation Dec. 23. So far, the vaccination effort has progressed "wonderfully," Kern said.
In the elementary schools, participation has ranged from about 25 percent at some schools to 50 percent at others, which is in line with what the district anticipated, Kern said.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/30/na-swine-flu-shots-make-rounds-at-pasco-schools/