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The Howard County School System is preparing for the flu season with its free annual vaccination clinics in 77 schools.
The flu season starts in October and can last until May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although the flu season happens every year, it's impossible to determine what the new season will be, according to the CDC. The length, timing and severity vary from one season to the next.
The influenza vaccine will be offered by the Maryland Partnership for Prevention and the non-profit school system between October 1 and October 15.
"If they do not have insurance, no student is denied," said Brian Bassett, a spokesman for the county's schools. "Any student who has permission from his parents or guardian can be vaccinated."
Parents and guardians are requested to include information about insurance when they are available. There is no co-payment or deductible and parents will not be charged by their insurance company or school system.
Last season, 12,200 influenza vaccines were given, according to Bassett. Nearly 58,000 students are enrolled in the school system for the current school year.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, vaccination takes about two weeks to protect against the flu.
According to the CDC, it is still possible to diagnose the flu, even with an influenza vaccine. Exposure to an influenza virus can occur before being vaccinated or during the two weeks following vaccination.
The school system began offering flu vaccines after the outbreak of the H1N1 flu pandemic, also known as swine flu, in 2009.
The flu vaccines are funded by Vaccine For Children, a federally funded program that provides free vaccines to children, and through contributions from health insurance companies, Bassett said.
Influenza symptoms in children include bluish or gray skin, faster or more troubled breathing, irritability, fever and rash, not drinking enough fluids, or not waking up or interacting.
Consent forms must be sent to each student's school by September 21st. Forms can be printed on the school website.
Although influenza vaccination is not mandatory for students, some vaccinations are allowed for the student to enter a school building.
In order to attend a county school, all students must have the required vaccinations in the state of Maryland necessary for their age group. The various vaccines include measles, mumps, chicken pox, polio, meningitis, hepatitis b, human papillomavirus, known as and tdap, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.
Parents must provide proof of the student's immunization before the student attends school or documentation of a scheduled appointment within 20 calendar days of the first day of school. All schools in the county opened on September 4th.
"If they [students] do not have the proper vaccines on the date that they can not be allowed to enter the building, "Bassett said. "It's a legal obligation."
When asked if a student had not been properly vaccinated, none had come to Bassett. However, schools do follow up with families until the deadlineBassett said.
The school system helps families get vaccinated, including connecting residents with the County of Howard Health Department, which offers two free clinics in September each year.
According to Matt Wilson, spokesman for the Department of Health, the Department of Health has immunized children entering kindergarten and seventh grade for at least 20 years.
Earlier this month, 111 children participated in one of two vaccination clinics, Wilson said in an email. Another 123 students received the needed vaccinations in May, when the health department took a head start on the 2018-2019 vaccinations, according to Wilson.
If students do not enter kindergarten or grade 7 but still need the required vaccinations, they are also seen in the clinics, Wilson said.
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