Schools

Hazelwood Schools Delivers 1,800 Flu Shots to Students

The number doesn't includes those provided to staff, but Hazelwood School District administrators say there has been a strategic effort to keep everyone healthy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately three weeks remaining for the peak of the influenza (flu) season.

The weekly report of the CDC found for the week ending Feb. 16, of 8,144 tested 16.8 percent were positive for influenza, down from 19.7 percent the previous week.

Locally the flu virus spread early and peaked in December wth many taking notice. In an effort to contain the flu virus and to prevent it from spreading withing the school system, Hazelwood School District  (HSD) administrators say they took several precautions to help safeguard students and staff.

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“Compared to 2010, we have been quite fortunate that the flu virus hasn’t hit Hazelwood as hard,” said Crystal Nelson, HSD director of health services in a statement. “Primarily, I believe this is due to us working in cooperation with parents.

"Parents have played a vital role in taking their child to their primary care physician to have them vaccinated and keeping their child at home, if they experience flu-like symptoms."

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This year, HSD reports it has administered 1,800 flu shots to students; something it calls a record-breaking number. The total does not include the number of vaccines given to staff as part of the district's employee wellness program.

Nationally, the CDC reports 14 pediatric deaths related to the flu this week, which shows the need for districts to take said precautions.

The 14 deaths brings the number of influenza-related pediatric deaths reported to the CDC for the 2012-13 to 78. Thirty-four pediatric deaths were reported during the 2011-12 flu season, 122 were reported in the 2010-11 season and 282 were reported during the H1N1 epidemic of the 2009-10 flu season.

Click the links below for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information on influenz:

To read more about the flu vaccine on Hazelwood Patch see:

  • The Season Is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots in or Near Hazelwood
  • Myths Surrounding Childhood Vaccines
  • Tips for Parents of High School Graduates


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