Immediate Release
December 7, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. The Clermont County General Health District reminds parents that children under the age of 10 need to receive two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to achieve protection against pandemic flu. “Children are at high risk for H1N1 infection,” said Clermont Health Commissioner Marty Lambert. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends this age group get two doses of H1N1 vaccine that are separated by 28 days to be effective. The first dose “primes” the immune system, while the second dose provides the actual immune protection. Children who only get one dose but need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine. Those 10 years of age and older need only one dose to be protected.
In addition to being vaccinated, Ohioans can help stop the spread of illness by washing hands thoroughly and often; covering mouths when sneezing or coughing; and staying home from work or school if sick.
The Clermont General Health District will begin second dose vaccination clinics in the schools this week; these clinics are for students and their younger siblings. The week of December 7, 2009, the second doses will be offered at Bethel Middle School (for Bick and Ebon C. Hill schools), Goshen’s Marr/Cook ( for Marr/Cook and Spaulding schools), CNE Early Childhood Educational Center (for CNE Elementary and St. Louis schools), Milford Pattison School (for Pattison and Seipelt schools), Milford McCormick School (for McCormick and Smith schools), Milford Meadowview School (for Meadowview and Mulberry schools), Batavia High School (for Batavia Elementary School), and St. Elizabeth Seton (for Seton, St. Marks, Milford Christian Academy, Ohio Valley Voices, and Children’s Meeting House schools). “Vaccinations will also be available for children who missed the first round of school shot clinics, as well as pregnant staff members, and pregnant mothers of elementary students,” said Lambert.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.