Community Notice: H1N1 Flu Vaccination Survey

In cooperation with Darien Health Director David Knauf, and Medical Advisors, Dr. Timothy Kenefick and Dr. Caleb Moore, the Darien Public Schools is examining the feasibility of hosting Town of Darien H1N1 flu vaccination clinics at our school sites. 

Although we are seriously looking at this possibility, no final decisions have been made. However, we have reached the point in our examination where feedback from parents will be very useful in helping to inform our thinking. 

First, some background:

If Darien Schools hold such clinics, they will be for school-aged children, and parents need to know that participation for their children is entirely voluntary.  Vaccination choices are entirely a parent decision. You may choose to use school resources or use private providers or not get vaccinated at all. Parents of children with medical concerns should contact their doctor to discuss whether it is preferable to be vaccinated by their own medical care provider.

Should vaccinations be available through the schools, they would be at no cost to the parent of the child. This service will apply only to H1N1 flu and not to regular seasonal flu vaccines. We are considering this special service because H1N1 flu virus was designated a health emergency by Secretary Sibelius.

If we hold elementary clinics we anticipate requiring the presence of the parent at the time the child is vaccinated. For the middle and high schools, parent presence would be optional. In all cases, however, properly executed permission forms must be on hand for any vaccine to be administered.

Vaccine would only be administered by properly licensed medical personnel who have been certified for this event in the State of Connecticut. However, we are likely to seek parent volunteers to assist with the support logistics of conducting these mass inoculation clinics more smoothly.

We request that each family with a Darien school-aged child help us to determine what number of Darien parents will seek to have their school children vaccinated in school. Therefore, please click on the link below, and complete the very brief (no names involved) survey of parent intent.

H1N1 Vaccination Survey

Once we tally the number of students for whom we need to prepare to vaccinate, we will make more definitive decisions. For example, if the number of those interested in vaccinations is relatively low, we likely will suggest everyone utilize their physician or a private provider for vaccination. If the number is moderate, we probably will be able to provide the service during after-school and Saturday hours. But if the interest in school-based vaccinations is relatively high, we likely will schedule our clinic hours on a combination of during school, after school, and on Saturdays.

Thank you for your interest and please help us by clicking the link above and completing the survey. 
     
Thank you,

Don Fiftal
Superintendent of Schools
203-656-7400