Free program offers no-shot
H1N1 (swine flu) immunizations
to students

Due to popular demand from parents, the vaccine for the H1N1 (swine flu) will soon be available to all Alachua County students.

As with the seasonal flu vaccine , the H1N1 vaccine will be provided in schools as a nasal spray, and it will be entirely free.  All Pre-K through 12th-grade students are being offered the H1N1 spray.  However, we must have a signed consent form to provide the spray to your child.

To the left you'll find links for the form and a Vaccine Information Sheet.  Please review the information sheet and fill out the consent form.  Then have your child return the consent form to his or her teacher.

Also to the left you'll find the immunization schedule for schools.  Please return your consent form to the school a week before the school's scheduled immunization date.

If you submit a consent form for your child and then your child receives the H1N1 vaccine elsewhere before the date it is scheduled at your school, please inform the school nurse.

Children with certain health conditions, such as asthma, should not receive H1N1 spray.  Health care professionals will review your consent form to ensure your child is eligible.  It's important that you fill out the consent form completely.  Otherwise, your child cannot receive H1N1 spray.

Like any vaccine, the H1N1 nasal spray does not protect 100% of the individuals who receive it.  In studies of people between the ages of 2 to 49, the most common side effects included runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever.  The Vaccine Information Sheet includes a full list of side effects.

If your child is under 10 years old, he or she will need a second dose of the H1N1 spray a few weeks after the first dose, which will also be provided free of charge in school.  Your school will send home more information about that in the future.

We encourage you to take advantage of the SAFE, FREE and EASY program to protect your child from the H1N1 (swine flu) and reduce absences from school and work.

For more information, contact the
Alachua County Health Department at 334-7950.