H1N1 vaccine still available at special Vaccines for Teens clinic

Free H1N1 flu vaccine will still be available from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health during the month of March.

Starting Monday, the health department will offer a special month-long vaccine clinic for teens to help families meet the requirement of a new school rule that takes effect in the fall.

Beginning in the fall, Indiana law requires that all students in 6^th through 12^th grade be vaccinated against Neisseria Meningitis (Meningococcal disease), Varicella(Chickenpox) and Pertussis (Whooping cough). Students must be vaccinated against all three by the first day of the 2010-11 school year or they may be excluded from school.

To assist families in meeting this requirement, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health is partnering with the local school systems and Super Shot Inc. to provide all three of the required vaccines free of charge (normal cost, $242.00). At the clinic, the health department will also continue to offer free H1N1 flu vaccine.

The Vaccines for Teens clinic will be open Monday through Thursday, 3 to 6:30 p.m., from March 1-March 31. The clinic is at 1818 Carew St., 3^rd floor. Parking is available in an attached garage. Parents should bring the child’s shot record and/or any proof of chickenpox infection or past immunization.  Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (with notarized documentation).

“We hope parents take advantage of this important opportunity,” says Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan. “If you wait until August or September of this year to vaccinate your child, it might result in your child being excluded from school.”

The department’s Children’s Immunization Clinic on the 5^th floor of the City-County Building will be closed during the month of March as a result of this effort.  

Children who need other routine vaccinations will need to see a private health care provider or visit a Super Shot location. For a list of Super Shot locations, call 260-424-7468.

###