As students began lining up for H1N1 vaccines at Jackson-Milton High School, local health officials said they've been pleased with the response local districts and superintendents have shown in making sure kids and their siblings have access to the program.
It was the fourth of these school clinics, with more planned the rest of this week and later this month around the county. Jennifer Darney brought her two children to get vaccinated, as well as herself, saying once she learned the shots were available, she never hesitated to get registered.
While organizers are hoping to give vaccines to at least half of Mahoning County's 37,000 students, the local school nurse said without such programs, some kids simply might not get vaccinated. "A lot of our students have a very difficult time getting to a doctor," said nurse Charlene Baker.
Nurses said improved hygiene habits like washing hands and using sanitizers has helped reduce absenteeism because of the flu. But they warned even those who've already been sick with H1N1 should still get vaccinated.
Organizers at the clinic said if history is any indication, this current bout of the flu won't be the last of it. Back in 1918 and 1919, the first time we saw an H1N1 pandemic, it came in three separate waves. Experts say we're now in our second wave, the first was last April, and they're predicting another one could come next February.
