WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Doctors vaccinating students against seasonal flu
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By Melanie Ruberti - bio | email
RICHMOND HILL, GA (WTOC) - While doses of the H1N1 vaccine are now available at health departments, some places are still pushing for the seasonal flu vaccines, especially in one area school district.
Schools around Bryan County have seen students with flu-like symptoms and that coupled with a high absentee rate in the past week, has many parents concerned.
But Billy McGrath with the Bryan County School superintendent's office assured parents there's nothing to worry about.
"With the numbers that we have out right now, which is a high absentee number for us, the state asks that we report ten percent above the general population. Which we've had to report a couple days in a row," he explained. "But only about a third of that is flu-like symptoms. Parents are concerned that it's all flu and H1N1, but that's really not the case."
But the concern comes at a time when the seasonal flu is beginning to pop up around the community.
Dr. Keith Seibert with the South Coast Medical Group, said his office has been packed with patients. The phones have also been ringing off the hook with people concerned about the flu.
"We've hired a physicians assistant and we've got additional staff," he explained. "We're working through lunch, we're staying through 6pm or 7pm every night to try and see all the kids we can during the day."
But on Wednesday, instead of bringing them to the office, he's bringing the seasonal flu vaccine to them.
"Unfortunately, when people come to a physicians office to get that, they run the risk of picking up illness while they're there," Dr. Seibert said. "We decided this year, we'd like to help the local community effort to protect kids who are healthy and around other healthy people. So their risk of infection isn't going to be increased by getting their vaccine in our office."
South Coast Medical Group is teaming up with the Bryan County Health Department along with the Board of Education, traveling to different schools around the county offering the seasonal flu vaccine.
At least 30 students at Richmond Hill Middle School lined up to receive the flu mist. The South Coast Medical Group says they will continue to canvass the school district until there's not a need for it anymore.
Officials with the school district say they're grateful for the program.
"Students are always in crowds," said McGrath. "It's not like being in Walmart or movie theaters. You're in a crowd of people all the time there's a high chance of spreading viruses all the time. It's good to keep them safe."
South Coast Medical Group will also be giving seasonal flu vaccines at their doctors offices around the Coastal Empire. The cost is $25.
For more information and tips on how to protect yourself during the flu season, you can visit their web site at www.southcoastmedical.com.
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