The East Baton Rouge Parish School District and Health Centers in Schools kicked off its district-wide free student influenza vaccinations Wednesday, November 10, at The Dufrocq School with support from Dr. H. Jay Collinsworth, vice president of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and U.S. Congressman Bill Cassidy. 

The vaccinations for students not qualifying for the state vaccine were once again donated by the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation.  Otherwise, the state provides vaccine for all students who qualify for the Vaccines for Children Program (those covered by public insurance and are uninsured or underinsured).

On the first day of vaccinations, which are given periodically through the month at various schools across the district, The Dufrocq School second-grade student Naomi Winder-Davis (pictured) took her FluMist spray in stride from nursing student Bethany Cox from Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing.  Only School System students whose parents return signed and fully filled out permission slips receive the vaccination, which covers both the seasonal and H1N1 (Swine Flu) flu strains in one dose.  Students with asthma and compromised immune systems are given the injection instead of the FluMist.

This pro-active move in the school district will help prevent the spread of influenza among students, teachers and the community. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases states 43 percent of Americans will not be getting the flu vaccination this fall, but children between the ages of 2 and 17 are twice as likely to get the flu as adults, including the elderly, and are considered the main source for spreading the flu.  For more information, contact Sue Catchings at s.catchings@brhcss.org or (225) 343-9505.