MEMPHIS, TN-- This is no time for panic.
That's the message from Shelby County leaders and school officials.
They say once the H1N1 vaccine is available, they hope to get at least one-third of the population vaccinated.
County leaders expect to get the vaccine in mid-October. Once it's here, the focus will be on vaccinating the most vulnerable citizens-- children and young adults.
“We believe we can help the city and the county vaccinate up to one third of the population” says Memphis City Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash.
Memphis city schools, Shelby County schools, and area Catholic schools are working together to see that the 163,000 students within their systems are taken care of.
“The top priority this fall is for students who are well to be in school because we may be dealing with months of H1N1” says Shelby County Health Officer Kenneth Robinson.
Leaders are putting an emphasis on kids, because they’re most likely to get sick with swine flu and most likely to spread it.
“We are prepared” says Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton. “We're not going to let one's lack of income stand in the way and prevent him or her from getting the shot if they need the shot.”
Hoping to set an example, Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton got his seasonal flu shot Wednesday.
Again, the seasonal flu shots are available now. You will have to wait until October for the swine flu vaccine.
Once the H1N1 vaccine is here, vaccination sites will be set up at all Memphis city high schools, along with the four regional health clinics. There are clinics at East High School, the Sheffield Career and Technology Center and the Westwood High School.
