SAYRE, Pa., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sayre Area School District in Bradford County today became the first Pennsylvania school district to begin administering Novel H1N1 influenza vaccine to its student population, the Department of Health announced.
The department also reminded all parents that immunizations play a significant role in keeping children healthy.
"The H1N1 virus is disproportionately affecting school-aged children, with almost two-thirds of all cases in Pennsylvania seen in those aged 5-24 years," said acting state Physician General Dr. Stephen Ostroff. "The H1N1 vaccine offers the best protection to school students against this virus."
The Sayre Area School District is using the live, attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV, also known by the brand name FluMist. This vaccine is a nasal spray and is licensed for healthy persons between 2-49 years of age. This vaccine is not recommended for some members of the other priority groups, including pregnant women, children under two years of age, those with certain underlying health conditions, and healthcare providers who care for patients with significant impairments in their immune system. The Department of Health will also provide the injectable form of the flu vaccine.
Children under 10 years of age will need to receive a second dose of the vaccine at least 21 days after their first dose. Those students are scheduled to get their second dose on Nov. 13. The Department of Health will work with the school district to assure there will be vaccine available to those students who need to receive the second dose.
Today's vaccination clinic at Sayre Junior-Senior High School was organized and run by the Sayre School District with assistance from the Department of Health District Office and State Health Center in Bradford County. More than 400 students signed up to be immunized.
Across Pennsylvania, the Department of Heal
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