One vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, has issued a non-safety related recall of some of its vaccine for children 6 months to 35 months of age. The Newton Health & Human Services Department has not used the recalled vaccine at any of its vaccination clinics.

An H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, January 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Brown Middle School Cafeteria, 125 Meadowbrook Road. This clinic is for children 6 months through age 18 accompanied by parents, their adult family members, and City of Newton employees.

Children under age 10 require two doses of vaccine. They can receive their second dose at this clinic if it has been at least 14 days since the first dose.

Please download and complete a Vaccine Administration Record at www.newtonma.gov/flu and bring it with you. One form is needed for each person being vaccinated.

It is strongly recommended that everyone receive the H1N1 vaccine even if you think you may have already had this type of flu. The vaccine is now available for people of all ages. See www.newtonma.gov/flu for a listing of all clinics.

Influenza-like illness in the Newton Public Schools is very low. As of December 14, less than 1 percent of students across the district were reported absent due to influenza-like illness. While the illness level remains low at this time, it is unknown what will happen in the months ahead.

Typically, January through April is a time when influenza is active in New England. The school nurses will continue to monitor absences after the December break so please continue to report the reason for your child’s absence to their school.

For any questions or specific data about your school, please contact your school nurse (Dolly_Staulo@newton.k12.ma.us) or the health department at 617-796-1420.
Have a safe and healthy winter break.

As of Wednesday, Oct. 28, Less than 1 percent, or 85 of the approximately 11,000 students, have known influenza- like illness, which is a fever of at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and a cough or sore throat. The Health & Human Services Department reviews absence data daily and will continue to keep families informed.

If your child is absent, you must call the school to report the reason for the absence. Please be specific when describing your child’s symptoms.  Simply saying your child is “ill” isn’t enough.  Is there a fever, sore throat, ear infection?  Whatever it is PLEASE let us know.

THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL ABSENCE/SAFE ARRIVAL NUMBER is: 617-559-6499.

Because the country is experiencing an influenza outbreak, you can expect the school nurse to follow up by telephone with families who do not indicate a specific reason for a student’s absence.

Do not send sick children to school. They will be sent home. Students who are in school less than 24 hours after a fever will also be sent home. For example, if your child has a fever on Monday evening and does not have a fever on Tuesday morning, s/he cannot attend school until Wednesday when at least 24 hours have passed without fever. Please refer to the flu symptoms checklist for help in deciding if your child should attend school. This can be found at: http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/Health/documents/swine_flu_symptom_checklist.pdf

The Newton Health & Human Services Department is committed to offering the H1N1 influenza vaccine to all Newton students in grades K to 12. We expect to provide this vaccine in school to students with parental consent. The dates for these clinics will be scheduled based on vaccine availability. We anticipate the earliest time these clinics would be scheduled is December. Limited vaccine distribution has already begun at some health facilities, so we encourage families with high risk children to check with their health care provider.

For additional questions, please contact your school nurse (dolly_staulo@newton.k12.ma.us) or call the health department at (617) 796-1420.

Ruth Hoshino, RN
Clinical Nurse Supervisor
Newton Health and Human Services Department
617-796-1442
617-552-7063 FAX