October 6, 2009                                               Parent Information

The Health Department strongly suggests your child receive the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine this year. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe sickness, and at times lead to hospitalization and even death. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a vaccination each year. Even if your child is up to date on his/her routine vaccinations, seasonal flu vaccination is especially important this year because of the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic. Although the seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against H1N1 influenza, it will provide protection against seasonal flu, reducing your child’s risk of getting sick with both types of flu. Contracting both illnesses will increase the risk for serious complications. CDC expects that 30-50% of the population will get sick with H1N1 this fall. A vaccine against H1N1 is currently in production, but it is not meant to replace the seasonal flu vaccine.

To view the Parent Information Presentation for Academic Year 2009-2010 -  click here