GRAVETTE — Students in Gravette Public Schools are scheduled to receive flu shots November 9 and 10, according to Loy Bailey, director of the Benton County Health Department.

This is part of a statewide program which is providing the free immunizations at all schools. These are the “regular” flu shots, Bailey said. If the vaccine for the H1N1 (Swine Flu) is available it will also be administered.

Consent forms have been sent home with children in Gravette schools and separate forms for each type shot must be returned no later than October 30. Accompanying the forms is a schedule for the project as well as an influenza “fact sheet”. A form for listing health information suchas allergic reactions, etc. and whether the child has previously received a dose of the flu vaccine, etc, must also be returned.

According to the letter parents received, students at Glenn Duffy Elementary will receive immunizations Monday morning, May 9, and those in Upper Elementary that afternoon.

Middle school students are scheduled Tuesday morning, May 10, and high schoolers that afternoon.

It is emphasized there is no charge for the immunizations but consent forms are required as stated in the information packet.

Robin Hilger, Wendy Catron and Karen Kerr, school nurses, will be in charge of the project at their respective schools.

Free Flu Shots For Adults Are Scheduled October 30

Free flu shots will be available for Benton County residents on Friday, October 30, at three locations, according to Loy Bailey, director of the Benton County Health Department.

The “clinics” will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following sites: Riordan Hall in Bella Vista; Eastgate Church of Christ, 1997 Highway 412 East in Siloam Springs; and at the Rogers Activity Center, 305 W. Olive in Rogers.

“This is an opportunity to reach a large portion at one point in time,” Bailey said. “The flu shot is the best way to ward off getting the flu. It is very effective,” he added.

Should the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine become available before October 30, that vaccine will also be administered, the director said, but he added, “It may only be available to certain high-risk groups.”

Those groups include children and adults age 6 months to 24 years, pregnant women, people from 25 to 64 who have underlying health conditions and those who care for infants younger than 6 months of age.

Bailey said persons who are unable to attend the free clinics may call the Health Department (271-1055) to schedule a flu shot anytime after October 30. Those shots will cost $20.

News, Pages 1 on 10/21/2009