Counties’ collaborative school-located immunization program

Everyone needs the influenza vaccine each year, especially children. Kids easily spread influenza in school settings and then carry the virus home to their families. Research finds that, although a healthy adult has around a seven percent chance of getting influenza any given season, school kids have around a 20 percent chance each year. 

Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County Public Health, Dodge County Public Health, Goodhue County Public Health, and area private and public schools have once again teamed up to offer influenza vaccinations. This includes most schools in Olmsted County, in the Kasson/Mantorville schools in Dodge County, and the Pine Island schools in Goodhue County. These immunizations will take place on September 20 through October 15, 2021. 

“We are thrilled to collaborate with this group of organizations with their robust resources and commitment to making the health of the community a priority. This collaboration creates opportunities to more broadly distribute flu immunization to our youth,” said Nurse Manager for Disease Prevention and Control at Olmsted County Public Health Leah Espinda-Brandt. 

School-located vaccines are fast, easy, and convenient for both parents and children to keep this preventable disease out of the classroom. Influenza vaccinations are more important than ever, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center nurses will administer the flu vaccines to children in the schools. The vaccine will be billed directly to the child’s insurance and recorded in the child’s electronic medical record. 

Out of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children won’t be offered the nasal spray (FluMist). Those interested in getting the nasal flu vaccine should contact their primary care provider. 

Nursing staff will offer non-medication, pain-reducing, topical coolant sprays, and other distractions proven to reduce pain when children receive the influenza shot. 

“We are striving to make the influenza vaccine available to all school children. Vaccination of school-aged children is the most effective way to prevent outbreaks of influenza within the school setting and the community,” explained Medical Director for the Primary Care in Southeast Minnesota Immunization Program at Mayo Clinic Dr. Robert M. Jacobson.

Registration is required. Online registration begins August 11, 2021 and parents can register their children until September 15, 2021. Online registration is preferred; however, paper forms are available at schools. No registration forms will be accepted after 11 p.m. September 15.

To find out more, including which schools are taking part and how to register, please visit http://www.semnic.org/schoolfluclinics.aspx

###

Media Contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166