Students, parents line up for shots

PALMER — Given the choice of contracting H1N1 — commonly referred to as swine flu — for a second time or having a inoculation, 7-year-old Eric Hess would choose the flu.

The Machetanz Elementary School student was one of hundreds to wait in line Saturday at Colony High School to receive one of the 2,000 vaccinations available for Mat-Su Borough School District children. The clinic was the first of three slated to immunize Valley school children against the virulent form of influenza.

“We have been full. This is the first break in the line since we started this morning,” said Karen James, Colony High’s school nurse and site coordinator for the clinic. When the doors opened at 11 a.m., “people were lined up around the gym.”

Although the turnout was large, the 2,000 doses on hand were enough for only about 12.5 percent of the district’s 16,000 students, more doses are expected for the upcoming vaccination events, set for Nov. 21 and Dec. 12, also at Colony.

Having school children immunized for H1N1 is not required by the school district or borough health department, but it’s a good idea, James said.

“Speaking as a school nurse, the district is not requiring this,” she said. “It’s strictly voluntary to get this. In my opinion, and this is strictly my opinion and not the school district’s stance, I think it’s a good idea. I had mine. We are all in pretty close quarters here, and (H1N1) spreads rapidly.”

That’s why when Hess’ mother, Tiffany Hess, received a call from the school district’s automated phone system about Saturday’s clinic, she made a point to attend. Her son’s recent battle with H1N1 was mild, but she didn’t want to take another chance.

“He’s already had the swine flu once, and it was very mild and we didn’t want him to get it again,” she said. “We definitely wanted to come and get a shot.”

That Eric has already had the flu once made it surprising to hear him exclaim that, if given a choice between having another shot or the swine flu, he’d choose “the swine flu. (The shot) was bleeding a lot and I feel bad now.”

Right before Eric’s turn with the needle was Bailey Hansen, 7, also a Machetanz Elementary student. Hansen cried before and during the vaccination, but was quick to settle down afterward.

Pioneer Peak Elementary student Melissa Andrews said she was scared before getting her shot, but said the experience wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be.

“I was scared at first, but it was like just getting pinched,” she said.

Although there have been some concerns nationally about potential reactions to the H1N1 vaccine, Andrews’ mother Deborah Burlinski said the consequences of not getting the shot outweighed the alternative.

“I debated it for awhile,” she said. “But then we thought if we didn’t get it for her and something happened, we’d be really, really sorry.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

H1N1 VACCINATIONS

There are several H1N1 vaccination clinics scheduled for the Mat-Su, giving priority to school students and other vulnerable groups. Here’s a list of the upcoming clinics:

Tuesday

Where: Mat-Su College

Who: Priority groups, which include: pregnant women, caretakers of children younger than 6 months, health care and emergency service workers, anyone age 6 months to 24 years, and anyone age 25 to 64 with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Nov. 21

Where: Colony High School

Who: Mat-Su Borough School District students

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 12

Where: Colony High School

Who: Mat-Su Borough School District students

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 17

There is another public clinic scheduled for this day at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center. It is unclear the time of the clinic or if it will be open to all or limited to priority groups.

Hospital restriction

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center has barred children under 12 years old from visiting hospital patients in an effort to stem the spread of swine flu. Officials are also asking those with respiratory aliments to keep their distance.