Friday, November 13, 2009

H1N1 vaccines administered in Carey

School district uncertain when more doses will arrive

---

By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

The first doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to reach the Blaine County School District were administered at Carey School on Thursday afternoon.

District Safety Director Scott Manning said more than 100 vaccines were likely given. There were 96 sign-ups for the vaccinations and Manning said he assumes the South Central Public Health District, which administered the vaccination clinic, brought some extra doses.

District Superintendent Lonnie Barber said at Tuesday's school board meeting that Carey was chosen first for the vaccine because the health district is giving preference to rural areas where medical treatment is not as readily available.

Carey School K-12 students and their siblings were eligible for the first doses.

Manning said he doesn't know when the vaccine will be available at other district schools.

<

"They've [Health District] got to wait until they get the vaccine before they make any commitment," Manning said.

Meanwhile, Manning said, the flu bug seems to have subsided within the school district. Absenteeism in mid-October was at 7.5 percent districtwide, about 2 percent higher than the normal rate.

"It's pretty much back to normal now," he said. "We're not seeing any large absenteeism."

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com