Hampshire County Schools Flu Vaccination Clinic Update! 

An afterschool H1N1 flu vaccination clinic will be held for students and staff members (under age 64) on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at Hampshire High School from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Students age 9 and under who received the vaccine at one of the previous clinics may receive their booster dose at this clinic.  Anyone age 10 or over needs only one dose. 

The pediatric vaccine will be offered in either the injectable or nasal version depending on medical condition, preference, and availability. Parents must be present to sign permission forms for all children.  Children who previously received one of the vaccines must receive their second dose in the same form (injectable or nasal version) as the first.
 

Meanwhile the county schools are basing their flu response on the advice given by West Virginia’s chief health officer, Dr. Cathy Slemp, to the West Virginia Board of Education.

Read the WVDE Press Release that includes Dr. Slemp's recommendations.

Read the Swine Flu Information Letter sent home with students about the preventing the spread of the flu.

The Hampshire County school system is following the recommendations of the West Virginia Department of Education concerning their response to the H1N1 flu. Precautions are being taken to limit the spread of the virus and isolate those who may be infected. Meanwhile the situation is being monitored carefully by the county school nurse, Rhonda Dante, and school administrators who are in contact daily with county and state health officials about student absences in conjunction with suspected flu cases.
 
The school system is required to work within a systematic structure with state and local agencies which include current HIPAA laws and confidentiality. These unified efforts will bring positive results instead of possible chaos from misinformation.  If you have questions or concerns, please email Rhonda Dante - or phone her at her main office at Romney Middle School - 304-822-5014 (pager number 301-784-7891).

Previous planning implementation steps;
 

In August of 2009 all school principals and School Crisis Teams met to review and update each school's plan for dealing with incidents such as a possible flu pandemic. Our school nurse worked with these committees to develop a unified plan in conjunction with the Hampshire County Health Department and county law enforcement officials in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines.

Our school administration has also worked with the LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Commission) to ensure that Hampshire County Schools are prepared to react quickly for the safety and protection of our students, staff and community.