Welcome to the Kinry Road Health Office!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 10, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES ALL NEW YORKERS 6 MONTHS AND OLDER NOW ELIGIBLE
TO GET H1N1 VACCINE
Directs Counties, Health Care Providers to Make Vaccine Available to General
Public in Addition to Priority Groups
Public Health Officials Eye Window of Opportunity to Vaccinate More New
Yorkers Before Flu Activity Picks Up Again
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Governor David A. Paterson today announced that, effective immediately,
health care providers may make the H1N1 flu vaccine available to all New
Yorkers who want the vaccine, including those who are not in priority groups
established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The announcement applies to all providers, including local health departments
with vaccine clinics scheduled for this weekend.
To date, the Department of Health (DOH) has allocated more than 3 million
doses of the H1N1 vaccine – the maximum made available by the CDC – for the
vaccination of priority group individuals in areas of the State outside of
New York City. As a result of that effort and increased supplies of vaccine,
the State is now making the vaccine available to all New Yorkers.
“Since early October, when the H1N1 flu vaccine first became available, we
have focused on providing vaccine to those New Yorkers considered at highest
risk of serious illness from the flu,” Governor Paterson said. “Now that
increased supplies of vaccine are available, it is appropriate to expand
access so that more New Yorkers get protection against the flu.”
“As we enter the holiday travel season, it is important to provide vaccine to
as many people as possible. During this busy period, I encourage New Yorkers
to take time to get vaccinated against the flu,” the Governor added.
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: “Over the last few
weeks, the supply of vaccine in New York State has consistently increased to
the point that we are now receiving weekly vaccine allocations that are
double the amount of earlier allocations. As a result of the increased supply
and a strong targeted vaccination campaign to reach priority groups, many
recent local vaccination clinics have not reached capacity, indicating
reduced demand for the vaccine among priority groups. While we know there are
still some individuals in priority groups waiting to receive the vaccine, and
we urge providers to continue to administer the vaccine to them, our
discussions with local health departments, hospitals and other health care
providers indicate a general consensus that it is now time to open access to
the vaccine to non-priority group individuals as well.”
Governor Paterson and Commissioner Daines thanked health care providers and
county health departments for their strong efforts to vaccinate thousands of
New Yorkers in priority groups who are at increased risk of serious illness
from the flu, as well as health care workers and others who are at risk of
transmitting the H1N1 virus to vulnerable individuals. They also thanked
those New Yorkers who are not in priority groups for their patience in
waiting for the vaccine.
Among those who have been waiting to receive the vaccine are many seniors 65
years of age and older, who were not in priority groups to receive the
initial doses of vaccine based on CDC determinations that the H1N1 flu virus
is more likely to target and cause serious illness among younger persons.
However, some cases of the virus have been reported in individuals 65 and
over, and public health officials agree it is appropriate that the vaccine
now be made available to them.
On December 4, the CDC reported that many areas of the country are now making
the vaccine available to healthy adults not in priority groups. These
decisions are consistent with the recommendations of the federal Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices that the vaccine be made available to
other individuals once individuals in priority groups have had access.
To date, New York State has received more than 5 million vaccine doses,
including more than 3 million doses for areas outside of New York City, and
more than 2 million doses for New York City. This week New York received its
largest single-week allocation of vaccine to date for areas outside of New
York City – more than 500,000 doses. CDC projects another allocation of
approximately 500,000 doses for the same region next week, with increasing
amounts of vaccine to be available in subsequent weeks. H1N1 flu activity
continues to be widespread in New York State, though the level of activity
has decreased compared to the previous week.
“With the supply of vaccine increasing, I urge New Yorkers to take advantage
of the opportunity to protect themselves and their families against the flu,”
Commissioner Daines said. “While the flu is very unpredictable, typically we
see the most flu activity during the next three months. Getting vaccinated in
the next month will provide protection against a possible third wave of the
H1N1 flu this winter and spring.”
The H1N1 vaccine is as safe and effective as the ordinary seasonal flu
vaccine and is developed using the same process as seasonal vaccine. Flu
vaccines have consistently had excellent safety records over the last several
years, as documented in multi-year studies. The CDC, which conducts
surveillance for vaccine-related adverse events, issued a report December 4
on the safety of the H1N1 vaccines that found no substantial differences
between the safety of the H1N1 vaccines and that of seasonal flu vaccines.
Public health officials emphasize that getting a vaccine is much safer than
getting the flu. From September 1 through the week ending December 4, there
were 43 confirmed H1N1 related deaths in the counties outside of New York
City, including 11 children under 18 years of age. More than 3,000 people
were hospitalized with the flu in New York State during the same period.
An individual’s regular health care provider may be the best option for
getting vaccinated. Many county health departments are also conducting public
vaccination clinics. More information about H1N1 flu, including where to
locate flu vaccine, is available at www.nyhealth.gov.
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Here is some important information for frequently asked questions:
***NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR '09-'10 SIXTH GRADERS***--
Tdap- Will be required for all incoming 6th graders who have not
received one of the following forms of vaccination in the past 2 years:
DTP,Td, DTaP.
More information will be sent home with 5th grade students in May.
Also, it is required for all incoming 6th graders to present MD verified
proof of varicella (chicken pox) immunization if you have not already done so.
EMERGENCY CARDS:
In the first week of the year EMERGENCY CARDS will be sent home. Please
take a few moments to fill them out. The more numbers you can give us the
better. Please make every effort to include local contacts. We realize many
parents now commute a significant distance to work. If your child becomes
ill or injured at school, it is essential that someone of your choice nearby
is available to see that he/she receives any necessary medical attention.
Also, if your numbers or emergency contacts change during the year, please
notify us as soon as possible.
EARLY DISMISSAL:
Please review with your child what to do in case of an EARLY DISMISSAL.
This information is on the bottom of the emergency card. You should have a
plan in place; one with which you and your child are comfortable.
MEDICATIONS:
NY State law requires the following procedure for administration of
medication in schools:
1. The nurse should administer medication only as necessary during
the school day.
2. Instructions for administering of medication must be in writing
from the physician and include:
a. The name of the student
b. The diagnosis/medical condition for which the medication is
needed.
c. The name of the medication.
d. The dosage and time to be administered.
e. A list of possible side effects.
3. A letter must be on file from the parent/guardian requesting
the administration of the medication by the school.
4. Medication MUST be brought to the school by the parent/guardian
in its original container.
It may NOT be sent to school with the child.
5. Updated physician's orders and continuing prescriptions are
required at the beginning of EACH school year.
6. All unused medications must be picked up by the parent/guardian
within 7 days after it is no longer needed or it will be discarded.
7. All prescribed medications will be kept in a locked area and
dispensed by authorized personnel only.
8. If any directions change on the prescription (time/dosage), the
physician must submit the request in writing.
9. A verbal or telephone request from the parent or physician is NOT
acceptable.
10. Special guidelines apply to field trips. Please contact the
school nurse for specific information.
11. The term "medication" refers to both prescription and "over the
counter" drugs and treatments. This includes cough drops,antacids,
and pain relievers as well.
CRUTCHES/WHEELCHAIRS:
If crutches or a wheelchair are needed, we must have a note on file from
your doctor stating such, as well as the reason they are needed and
anticipated length of time they will be needed. The student must report to
the Health Office upon entering the school building with initial request.
STATE MANDATED PHYSICALS:
NY State requires that all new registrants, as well as students entering
grades Kindergarten, 2, 4, 7, and 10 receive physicals. You may have your
child examined by your private physician or the school physician will
perform the exam. All private physician physicals are due to the health
office no later than October 1 of the school year. Any student who has not
returned a form by October 1 will be scheduled for a physical with the
school physician.
STATE MANDATED DENTAL CERTIFICATES:
NY State now requests that dental certificates be on file in the school
health office for newly entering students as well as those entering grades K,
2,4,7,& 10.
ATHLETIC PHYSICALS FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS:
THIS PERTAINS TO 6TH GRADERS ONLY:
In order to tryout for a team or interscholastic sport at the junior
high level, an athletic physical must be completed by the district
physician. Beginning in the early spring of the 6th grade year, any next
year's 7th grade students who are interested will be instructed to pick up a
permission slip in the Health Office. A parent signature is required to
perform an athletic physical on your child. Once the signed permission slip
is returned to the Health Office, the student will be registered for a
physical. The physical is done privately in the health office during school
hours and at no charge. If your child successfully completes the athletic
physical, the appropriate forms will automatically be sent over to the
junior high. If the physician requires any special clearance, you will be
notified. The athletic physical is good for 1 year, but a new permission
slip must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian for each sport.
STATE MANDATED SCREENING:
The school nurse will perform the NY State mandated screenings if no
recent documentation is received from the student's private physician.
Screening includes height, weight, vision, hearing, and scoliosis checks
mandated at various grade levels.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
Students must meet the minimal New York State Immunization requirements
for entry into school. This includes physician proof of immunity to
varicella if your child was born on or after 1/1/98 or born on or after
1/1/94 and is enrolling in grade 6. Tdap is also required for incoming 6th
graders who are 11 years old. If your child is not yet 11, documentation of
having received the Tdap will be required by 2 weeks following your child's
11th birthday. Most other grades require 3 doses DPT, 3 doses Polio
(either IPV or OPV), 2 doses MMR (the first MMR must be given no earlier
than 4 days preceding the child's first birthday), and 3 doses of Hepatitis
B (or the 2 dose adult series). This may seem confusing, so if you have any
questions, please feel free to call me.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXCUSES:
If your child needs to be excused from PE, a note is required. A
parent/guardian note is sufficient for up to 1 week if a physician has not
evaluated your child for the illness/injury. In order for your child to be
excused from PE for longer than 1 week, a doctor's note is required. The
note must state the reason why and length of time your child will need to be
excused from PE.
SICKNESS/INJURY OCCURRING AT HOME:
Please notify the Health Office of any illness, injury, or physical
condition that your child may have so that we may be aware of your child's
condition and needs. The principal may request a doctor's note to verify a
visit, to obtain medical clearance for return to school or to confirm
medical evaluation after an illness.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES FOR WCSD SCHOOL LUNCHES
All nutritional values and serving amounts are available on the
district's website. Just go to www.wappingersschool.org. On the right side
of the home page, you will see "at a glance". Scroll down and click
on "lunch menus". Click on the month next to "elementary" or "secondary".
On any calendar day under the list of lunch options click on "view nutrients"
and you will see the approximate values for each item on that day's menu.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION, PLEASE DO
NOT HESITATE TO CALL ME AT: 463-7322 ext.104.
