Blanco ISD in conjunction with Health Hero will be hosting a free flu shot clinic on Monday, Sep 30.
Students and staff who fill out a consent form and return it by Wednesday, Sept. 25 will receive flu shots on their campuses for no cost.
8:45 until 9:30 a.m. for the elementary school, 9:45 until 10:30 a.m. at the middle school and 10:45 until noon at the high school.
In January of 2019, BISD saw a record number of flu cases reaching levels that threated school closure especially at the middle school, where there were as many as 98 absences on one day.
In order to combat a repeat of last year, District Nurse Robin Johnson has organized this flu shot clinic. Students are encouraged to bring a copy of their insurance or Medicaid card, but no student will be turned away who has the proper consent paperwork.
“We already have our first confirmed case of flu at the high school this school year. It has arrived a little early this year, so I encourage all of our students and staff to take advantage of this shot clinic,” Johnson said. “The consent forms are available on our BISD website. Our student/staff participation has increased each year, so I hope that trend will continue.”
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza and its potentially serious complications. A flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
Flu activity in the U.S. usually peaks from late fall through early spring. The current guidelines recommend the flu vaccinations should be offered by the end of October. It takes about two weeks for the body to develop protection against the flu.
The 2019-2020 flu vaccine will fight three common strains of the virus and despite popular myth the vaccine will not give a person the flu if given the shot.
The Mayo Clinic suggests a number of reasons for experiencing flu-like symptoms even after receiving the vaccine, including a mismatch to the virus strain or even exposure within the two-week window.
Along with the vaccine these other steps can help prevent the spread of the virus this season. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and if you become sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care. BISD Policy states a student must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. And avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
