H1N1 vaccine being administered in Holmes County schools

The Holmes County Health Department will be administering the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine at two local schools. The first vaccines given will be to the Poplar Springs Community on November 10 from 5p.m.-8p.m. @ Poplar Springs School; Bethlehem Community on November 12 from 5p.m.-8p.m. @ Bethlehem School. Vaccinations for the Ponce de Leon and Bonifay Communities will follow as vaccine becomes available; dates and times for these communities will be advertised.

****Please note: The health department will be administering the vaccines to students and family members who meet the criteria listed below. The vaccine is free and voluntary.

****Criteria for vaccination with the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine are as follows:

 The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that people ages 6 months to 24 years; people 25-64 years who are pregnant or who have certain medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, weakened immune systems, blood disorders, neurologic or neuromuscular disease, and other illnesses; parents and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age; and healthcare workers and emergency personnel be considered the highest priority groups for initial vaccination (See: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm

If you have any questions you may call your private provider or the Holmes County Health Department @ 547-8500. You may also access the health department’s web site @ www.holmeschd.com. For further information regarding the Swine Flu you may call the Florida Information Line @ 1-877-352-3581 or go to www.myflusafety.com.