Special to The American

The City of St. Louis Department of Health is preparing to expand its H1N1 vaccination clinics to the estimated 145 local public, private, parochial and charter schools as more vaccine becomes available from the Centers for Disease Control.

“Our public health surveillance indicates that the flu is disproportionately hitting school age children from 4 to 14,” said Pamela Walker, interim director of Health.

“So, as we get more vaccine, we will be focusing on grade schools and middle schools with vaccination clinics. When we are finished with them, we will move on to high schools.”

Because the amount of vaccine is limited, the Health Department has been focusing on people who are at greatest risk – children under the age of six, older children with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and first responders.

School clinics began mass vaccinations of students this week. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their child’s school for information relating to their school clinic and to get a permission slip. All children under 18 will require a signed permission slip to receive the vaccine.

“If we receive the amount of vaccine promised, we will be able to stay on schedule to offer vaccines to every elementary and middle school student who wants it by Christmas,” Walker said.

“But, when and how much vaccine we get is out of our hands.”

City residents who fall into the highest at-risk category are still encouraged to contact their physician for information on visiting one of 54 clinics (including 10 hospitals) in the St. Louis area.

For more information, please call the Health Department at 314-612-5400.