JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Public school students in Duval County now have the opportunity to get their flu vaccine at school.
Today was the first opportunity for students to get vaccinated.
It’s thanks to a partnership between Duval County Public Schools and the Department of Health that will continue through Dec. 18.
Action News Jax’s Courtney Cole shares what parents need to know if they’d like to opt-in.
“As a parent, you want to do what is best for your child,” Travis Akers said.
Akers, whose older son is a freshman at Fletcher High School, believes that includes making sure his son gets the flu vaccine.
“I actually spoke to his mother this morning about that,” Akers said.
Parents are required to sign a consent form before their children can be vaccinated, but flu vaccination is not mandatory for DCPS students.
“I’ve already received mine, so we want to ensure that we are promoting good public health practices and protecting ourselves,” Akers told Cole.
Dr. Sunil Joshi, the president of the Duval County Medical Society Foundation, said children who are vaccinated are 82% less likely to end up in the intensive care unit for the flu than those who are not.
“Whereas COVID-19 is questionable to whether or not it really impacts young children, the flu does. The flu causes hospitalizations in children at higher rates than it does for adults. So it’s critically important that we take the flu season seriously, even with all the background of COVID-19 going on,” Joshi said.
Joshi also said the ability to vaccinate large numbers of children quickly will be helpful in preventing the spread of the flu to parents, grandparents or those who may be more vulnerable.
“In the end, it’s going to help alleviate some of the burden placed on our health care system here in Duval County,” said Akers.
Parents need to contact their children’s school directly to learn when the Department of Health will be set up there.
If you’re unable to afford the flu vaccine or don’t have insurance, click HERE.
Once you get to the page, follow these steps:
-Click “get a vaccine.” From there, you’ll be able to reach a list of area pharmacies.
-If you don’t have insurance, there’s an option that allows you to enter your email address and ZIP code, and you will be sent a voucher for a free flu vaccine at your nearest pharmacy.
If you have private insurance, your vaccine is covered.
To read more, there is a fact sheet HERE from the Duval County Medical Society.
Cox Media Group
