2,200 Wicomico Elementary Students Receive FluMist Vaccine

More than 2, 200 Wicomico Elementary Students Receive FluMist Vaccine; Statewide Suspension Cancels Seasonal Flu Vaccine at Two Wicomico Schools

When Maryland health officials suspended the administration of all seasonal FluMist vaccinations in elementary schools, students at two Wicomico County schools — Beaver Run Elementary and Fruitland Primary — did not receive the FluMist vaccination because of the state’s suspension of the program. Parents/guardians at those two schools were notified by the school system’s ParentLink rapid notification system.

On Thursday, Oct. 1, the Wicomico County Health Department announced the suspension of the program, citing the need for a monthlong interval between administering two live viruses — the FluMist live virus for seasonal flu and the FluMist form of the H1N1 vaccine. All other schools with students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade already held their FluMist clinics for students. Through the 2009 FluMist vaccination effort by the Wicomico County Health Department and Wicomico County Public Schools, more than 2,200 students K-5 were vaccinated between Sept. 24 and Oct. 1.

"We are anticipating receipt of the H1N1 influenza vaccine in the near future," Lori Brewster, health officer in Wicomico, said Thursday. "FluMist (for seasonal flu) is a live virus, as is the intranasal form of the H1N1 vaccine. There must be a four-week interval between the two live viruses, which is the rationale behind the suspension."

Approximately 400 children at the two schools were signed up to receive the FluMist vaccine. The Health Department said parents/guardians can have their child vaccinated with the injectable form of the seasonal vaccine through their pediatrician, or the county Health Department, Brewster said. A parent who wants their child to receive the injectable form of the seasonal flu vaccine at the Wicomico County Health Department, also can call 410-543-6943.

Dates for the H1N1 vaccination clinics will be posted on the Wicomico County Health Department website at www.wicomicohealth.org, and on the Public Health Information Line, at 410-543-6943, as soon as the H1N1 vaccine arrives and clinic schedules are determined.