Sedalia schools hosting flu vaccine clinics

A few students cringed while others sat stoically as nurses from the Pettis County Health Clinic administered H1N1flu vaccinations Monday morning at Smith-Cotton High School.

The clinic was the first of nine flu shot clinics to be held in schools located in the Sedalia School District 200 over the next 10 weekdays. The H1N1 clinic was first discussed at an October meeting of the Sedalia School District Board of Education meeting. Assistant Superintendent Brad Pollitt said the Pettis County Health Clinic had enough vaccines to immunize every child in the district with a parent’s consent. Pollitt stressed the vaccines would be voluntary.

“The district is not asking or mandating that students have this vaccine,” Pollitt said. “We are just providing a building for Pettis County (Health Center) to administer the vaccines.”

The board voted in favor of holding the clinics during the Nov. 23 meeting and permission slips were sent home to parents Nov. 30.

According to Pettis County Health Clinic Nurse Manager Katrinka Wiltse about 60 of the 1,200 Smith-Cotton students opted to participate in the clinic.

Michael Sivard, 17, rolled up his sleeve for the shot during the clinic. Sivard said he originally tried to get the vaccine at Whiteman Air Force Base but the supply was limited.

“My dad signed the permission slip,” Sivard said, “and I wanted to get the shot because I don’t want H1N1.”
Blake Potts, 18, said his mother suggested he take part in the clinic.

“My mom thought it would be a good idea,” Potts said. “The scare surrounding H1N1 has worn off, but I still thought it was a good idea too.”

Although controversy has surrounded the vaccine because people feared the safety and effectiveness of the new shot, Potts said he wasn’t worried or afraid to be vaccinated.

“I’m not afraid,” he said.

Smith-Cotton High School junior Ashley Sparks, 16, winced as the nurse inoculated her. Although Sparks admittedly doesn’t handle needles well, she said a bad bout of flu in October prompted her to be vaccinated against H1N1 flu.

“I missed a week of school in October,” she said. “I was tired and coughing and I don’t want to go through that again.”

Wiltse said she would recommend parents take advantage of the free clinics.

“I would definitely recommend the vaccine because H1N1 seems to effect children and adolescents,” she said.

The school flu shot clinics will continue through Dec. 17 and permission slips are available at each school. Any questions regarding the vaccine or the clinics should be directed to the Pettis County Health Center at 827-1130 or to a school nurse.