Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District readies for swine flu vaccinations

By Tommy Acosta

SEDONA, AZ (November 5, 2009) - The Centers for Disease Control and prevention announced today, November 5, the much anticipated H1N1 flu vaccinations are being shipped to hospitals, doctors, medical facilities and schools across the country.

The Sedona Unified School District is ready to begin vaccinating students against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus starting Nov. 15.

According to SUSD Superintendent Mike Aylstock, the vaccination program will start at West Sedona School and Big Park Community School, with vaccinations for Sedona Red Rock High School possibly beginning Nov. 19, depending on availability of the vaccine.

Responding to a rumor that a number of students in the community have been diagnosed with swine flu, Mr. Aylstock said while students have been sent home with flu like symptoms, none have been officially diagnosed with H1N1 through blood tests or other medical testing.

“There has been no confirmation of any cases,” he said. “A lot of kids have been sent home with symptoms but to my knowledge there have been no confirmed cases.”

He said very little testing has been done on suspected cases.

“It’s an assumption these cases are swine flu,” he said. “There has to be a swab. None have been confirmed by testing. They are not taking tests for swine flu unless there is hospitalization.”

He said the district is working closely with Yavapai County Community Health Services to monitor any spikes in student absentee rates as well as with Sedona city staff and the Fire District to develop emergency response should the H1N1 virus ever achieve pandemic status in the community.

He said there have been meetings held through the Sedona Chamber of Commerce with business community leaders to develop plans on how to maintain business in the community should the work force be affected by a pandemic.

According to statistics, younger people are more likely to suffer severe symptoms and die than older people. Statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite 19 pediatric deaths in the U.S. from Oct. 18 to Oct. 24 attributed to the swine flu.

The CDC announced Oct. 5 the first significant batches of the vaccine have become available totaling approximately six million to seven million doses. Initial doses will be administered as a nasal spray and later through injections.

CDC officials claim the Swine Flu is widespread in 26 states, up from 21 a week ago.

According to the CDC there has been a falling off of suspected Swine Flu cases in the southeast and other parts of the country.

Although there are no exact statistics available on the impact of the H1N1 virus in the U.S., some reports suggest the infection has caused more than 600 deaths and more than 9,000 hospitalizations.

The swine flu virus was first seen in the U.S. in April. 

According to Greg Roybal, a public information officer for Arizona’s H1N1 Response, there were 23 new-confirmed cases of H1N1 in Yavapai County between Oct. 25 and Oct. 31, with a total of 99 confirmed cases since record keeping began in April. He said in Coconino County there have been 14 new-confirmed cases from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31, with a total of 150 confirmed cases since April.

While many parents want their children to receive the vaccination there is some doubt the virus is any more deadly than regular viruses that proliferate during the flu season.

There are also doubts as to the effectiveness of the vaccine and whether it poses a danger to the recipient.

U.S. health officials have stated that early testing indicates there have been no serious side effects to the vaccine but it is too early to tell as to its effectiveness.

Parents of students attending West Sedona School and Big Park Community School have been provided with permission forms to allow their children to be vaccinated.

According to Mr. Aylstock, only students with permission slips will be vaccinated and there will be no forced vaccinations for any students in his schools.

He said parents who have medical insurance are asked to provide insurance information but they will not be charged. Children with no medical insurance who have permission from their parents will also be vaccinated.

Mr. Aylstock said he expects a good response from the parents in favor of the vaccinations.

He said teachers at the school will also be offered an opportunity to receive the vaccine.

“No child will be turned down,” he said. “Provided they bring in permission slips from their parents.”

Related article: City of Sedona prepares for pandemic