"I think all of public health around the country are having lots of plans available including our department of public health. The major limiting factor, as you know, is the supply of vaccine," said Dr. Linda Murray, the county's chief medical officer. She says the county will offer vaccines in some schools in the coming days.
"We selected these schools based on their size, based on what their access to regular medical care, as you know some of our communities don't have a lot of access to medical care, and we basically made a list and we expect the order of that list to change as things develop," said Dr. Murray.
The county ordered vaccines according to those in need. The list includes:
The first vaccine will go to 60067 and 60074 in Palatine.
"We're not entirely ready but we're planning fast and furiously. About a week ago Friday we learned that two zip codes within our district are first in line to receive the vaccine," said Jim Garwood, Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15.
Sanborn School will be in the first round of schools in Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15 to offer H1N1 vaccines. District officials say the vaccines will be given to students only with parental consent and offered to school staff in the high risk groups.
"Potentially it does save lives. There have been a number of children (who) have died across the country- some with complicating health factors and others without. We feel it's very important to provide this service for our families and our community," said Garwood.
Palatine District 15 will have H1N1 vaccination clinics at 12 of their schools on October 29 and 30. The district's other schools are expected to have clinics next month.
Palatine closed two schools last spring due to H1N1 so district officials acted quickly to offer prevention.
