Gainesville BOE looks at in-school flu vaccine

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville School Board this week reviewed a voluntary in-school flu vaccination program that would make it more convenient for students and teachers to get immunized.

Steven McCoy, Director of Academic Clinics.LLC from Atlanta said his goal is to make schools 'flu free' by providing in-school immunization. McCoy told school board members at their regular Monday meeting that students and teachers, if they choose, would get nasal spray, not a shot, that would take only two hours at most to administer per school.

"The seasonal vaccine this year also includes H1NI, so it's one vaccine for flu," McCoy said. "The intent is to reduce the flu in the community and reduce absenteeism in the schools."

McCoy said the vaccine is administered by health department nurses supported by nursing students. That system worked very well in 11 Georgia counties last year, and Academic Clinics is assisting District (2) Public Health, which is offering the program on a pilot basis in Gainesville, and in the Hall and Banks County school systems.

McCoy expects 25 to 30 percent of the students will participate in the voluntary program, with 30 to 40 percent of the teachers.

The in-school program provides vaccine for private pay students as well as students who are uninsured and on Medicaid.