Healthy Schools LLC, Marion County Public Schools and theFlorida Department of Health in Marion County Will “Teach Flu a Lesson”

OCALA—Marion County public school students are gearing up to fight influenza this school year. A new partnership between the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, Marion County Public Schools and Healthy Schools, LLC is called “Teach Flu a Lesson" and can immunize all students against the flu at no cost. Parents must provide signed consent forms for their children to receive the nasal mist immunization.

Healthy Schools’ nurses will administer nasal mist flu immunizations free to students with parental consent in every participating Marion County public school for two days only—December 1 and 2.  Parents should be on the lookout for consent forms coming home with students beginning November 12 and return them immediately.

 “An annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu,” said Mike Napier, interim Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. “This is especially important for our students during the holiday season, so they can be healthy and ready for school after the break.”

“Making sure our students stay healthy is a big priority for us,” said Superintendent of Schools George Tomyn.  “Healthy students mean healthy classrooms, and this immunization provides a great opportunity to stay healthy,” he added.

“’Teach Flu a Lesson’ is a proven initiative that improves the health of students,” said Tony Boselli, Healthy Schools’ founder. “We are delighted to provide flu vaccine to students in Marion County this year.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone aged six months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. Bringing flu vaccines into schools is a proven effective way to increase vaccination rates for children in Florida.  Consider these findings:

• Each year in the U.S., an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized for flu-related complications.
• Children with chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes have an extremely high risk of developing serious flu related complications.
• Children are more likely to get the flu or have flu-related complications because their Immune systems are still developing.
• Because of their diverse populations, schools tend to serve as incubators of influenza in each community.
• During the 2011-12 flu season, 26 child flu deaths were reported to CDC.

FluMist Vaccination Form

Parents must provide signed consent forms for their children to receive the nasal mist immunization. You can download the FluMist vaccination form from the Marion County Public Schools website.

 

FluMist FAQs:

What is FluMist?

FluMist is a vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to help protect against influenza. It can be used in children, adolescents, and adults ages 2 through 49. FluMist may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated.

What are the most common side effects of FluMist?

The most common side effects of FluMist are runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever. Others may include chills, cough, decreased activity, decreased appetite, headaches, irritability, muscle aches, and tiredness/weakness.

Who should not get FluMist?

You should not get FluMist if you have a severe allergy to eggs, gentamicin, gelatin, or arginine; have ever had a life-threatening reaction to influenza vaccinations; or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin. Children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FluMist unless your health care provider tells you otherwise.

Children under 2 have an increased risk of wheezing (difficulty with breathing) after getting FluMist.

Tell your health care provider if you or your child are currently wheezing; have a history of wheezing if under 5 years old; have had Guillain-Barrè syndrome; have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system; have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs; have diabetes; are pregnant or nursing; or are taking Tamiflu®, Relenza®, amantadine, or rimantadine.

Read the FluMist Vaccine Information Statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information.  

Is it a live virus?

Yes. Similar to the chicken pox vaccine, FluMist contains a weakened live virus. The weakened live virus in FluMist is designed not to cause the flu, but to help protect you from influenza through the end of flu season.

What about students who are immune suppressed and being around this mist?

If students are currently in school and not in a “protected” environment such as transplant floors of hospitals, etc., it is safe for them to be in the vicinity of a FluMist clinic. Consider that these students are already in daily contact with other students who are receiving vaccinations at the pediatric offices. Also, if the students are going to physicians’ offices, they are likely there during a FluMist vaccination.

Healthy Schools, LLC Quick Facts

• Healthy Schools, LLC creates Public/Private partnerships with local health departments to work in conjunction with local school districts to provide flu vaccines to students at no cost to the families, the schools or the health department.
• Healthy Schools, LLC. was founded in 2013 by former Jacksonville Jaguar, Tony Boselli.
• With advance consent from parents/guardians, Healthy Schools, LLC. provides FluMist® Quadrivalent to all students (regardless of health insurance coverage).
• Healthy Schools, LLC services Medicaid, uninsured, and insured student population.
• No-cost to the students, the parents, the school districts, or the Florida Department of Health.
• The program is voluntary and only children with consent forms signed and completed by the parent/guardian will be vaccinated by Healthy Schools, LLC.
• Convenience option; the program eliminates lost time at school for doctors visits
• Healthy Schools, LLC. provides the nurse staff, the vaccine, and the supplies

Consent forms are delivered to each participating school and distributed two weeks prior to clinic start date.