Gualala, CA – November 10, 2009 – Working with local school administrators, RCMS is arranging for area children to be vaccinated for H1N1 flu the week of November 16.   RCMS medical staff, assisted by volunteers from the RCMS Auxiliary, will administer the shots to students at area schools.

All school age children who are to be vaccinated MUST have a 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Consent Form, completed and signed by a parent, before they can receive the vaccine. These forms, which are available in English and in Spanish, will be given to students to pass along to their parents.  Parents do not need to be present at the vaccination of their children.

RCMS medical staff cannot vaccinate any child that does not have a valid, signed parental consent form at the time of vaccination.  If parents have any questions they should contact their child’s school administration department.

Children aged 2 to 5 may receive their shots at the VFW Hall in Point Arena on Friday, November 20, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Parental consent forms, in English and Spanish, will be available at this location for parents to sign before vaccination.

When all children have been vaccinated, other priority groups as designated by the CDC and public health protocols, (healthcare and emergency response workers, parents of infants younger than 6 months,  young adults and those adults who have a higher risk of developing flu), may receive the H1N1 vaccine at area flu clinics. Dates and locations of clinics will be announced later in the month.   When all priority groups have been vaccinated, the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available to other adults who wish to receive it.  The timing of clinics will be dependent on the availability and delivery of H1N1 vaccine.

Pregnant women must receive the H1N1 flu vaccine at an RCMS clinic, and should call to arrange an appointment at either Gualala or Point Arena.

The H1N1 flu shot is given free to all children and adults.  However, the cost to administer the shots is expensive, and RCMS is suggesting a $15 per adult donation.  Several weeks ago, Good Buy Clothes made a donation to RCMS that will help underwrite the cost of vaccinating area children.