H1N1 Vaccines to Begin in Schools

Teachers and parents have bee wondering for weeks when enough H1N1 vaccine would become available and clinics could be held for students. The Alabama Department of Health says schools can begin administering the vaccine on November 30th.

Mobile County Health officials say they will have six thousand doses on hand to begin that week, with more shipments of the vaccine scheduled.

School systems have been working with the health department since August to make preparations for holding vaccine clinics at schools. In the newly formed Saraland School District, Health Supervisor Diana Collins says they will begin clinics on December 3rd. Permission letters and information packets have been sent to parents.

State health officials say they opted for the nasal mist vaccine because it has become more readily available that the injectable vaccine.

They also say their are fewer cases of the H1N1 virus being reported right now but they expect the number of cases to increase after students return from their Christmas breaks.