Most Kids Need 2 Doses of H1N1 Flu Vaccine

By Courtney Cutright and Sarah Bruyn Jones, The Roanoke Times, Va.

Jan. 12--Thousands of students in Southwest Virginia received H1N1 flu vaccines last fall at more than 100 clinics held in the region's schools.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a second dose of the vaccine for children under 9 years old, and health department officials will return to participating schools in the New River Health District this month to provide it to students who need it.

But Dr. Stephanie Harper, director of the Alleghany/Roanoke City Health Districts, said Monday there are no plans to return to the public schools in Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties or the cities of Clifton Forge, Covington, Roanoke and Salem to administer second doses of the vaccine.

It is the parents' responsibility to get each child's second dose; the health department is not sending out reminders. Cards with the date of the first vaccination were handed out to children and parents should check there to see when the next dose is due, Harper said.

"The advice now for parents of school-age children is to continue to come to the mass community clinics," said Robert Parker, a health department spokesman.

The vaccines are free and there are several scheduled for this month.

For children between 6 months and 9 years old, the recommended span between doses is four weeks, but Harper said it is OK if more than 28 days have passed.

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"If you need it, come and get it," she said.

Harper said she is worried about complacency in both people not getting vaccinated and in children, who need a second shot, not getting it.

"We certainly want to encourage everyone to stay the course, and please come get yours now," she said.

There is plenty of the vaccine available and the health department can order more if it is needed.

LaVern Davis, associate director of health services at Roanoke County Public Schools, said about 7,500 students and staff there received the vaccine at in-school clinics.

H1N1 flu vaccine clinics

Clinics are walk-in and vaccines are administered for free.

Today (Tuesday) -- 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. , Valley Metro, West Campbell Avenue, Roanoke -- 2 to 8 p.m., Roanoke City Health Department, 1502 Williamson Road

Wednesday -- 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., Covington Health Department, 321 Beech St. -- Noon to 6 p.m., Valley Metro, West Campbell Avenue, Roanoke -- 2 to 6 p.m., Iron Gate Baptist Church, 707 Market Ave., Iron Gate

Thursday -- Noon to 6 p.m., Valley Metro, West Campbell Avenue, Roanoke -- 2 to 8 p.m., Botetourt Health Department, 21 Academy St., Fincastle -- 2 to 8 p.m., Covington Health Department, 321 Beech St.

Jan. 19 -- 2 to 8 p.m., Roanoke City Health Department, 1502 Williamson Road

Jan. 21 -- 7 to 9 a.m., Vinton Health Department, 227 S. Pollard St. -- 2 to 8 p.m., Botetourt Health Department, 21 Academy St., Fincastle -- 2 to 8 p.m., Covington Health Department, 321 Beech St.

Jan. 22 -- 7 to 10 a.m., Botetourt Health Department, 21 Academy St., Fincastle -- 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., Roanoke City Health Department, 1502 Williamson Road

Jan. 23 -- Noon to 6 p.m., Valley View Mall, 4802 Valley View Blvd., Roanoke

Jan. 25 -- 2 to 8 p.m., Salem Health Department, 105 E. Calhoun St. -- 2 to 8 p.m., Vinton Health Department, 227 S. Pollard St.

Jan. 26 -- 2 to 8 p.m., Roanoke City Health Department, 1502 Williamson Road

Jan. 28 -- 2 to 8 p.m., Botetourt Health Department, 21 Academy St., Fincastle -- 2 to 8 p.m., Covington Health Department, 321 Beech St.

Jan. 30 -- Noon to 6 p.m., Valley View Mall, 4802 Valley View Blvd., Roanoke

For updates, resources and more on the seasonal and H1N1 flus in the Roanoke and New River valleys, visit roanoke.com/flu.

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