Shelbyville School District Superintendent Robert Verdun said that on Monday the Shelby County Health Department began immunizing the staff of the district with the H1N1 vaccine. Verdun said any staff who desires an H1N1 vaccination will receive it during this clinic.

Verdun went on to say he is concerned that parents and students will question why the teachers and not the students.

“I just wanted to make sure our people in this district understand that the Health Department did not receive the vaccine they had requested,” said Verdun. “When the health Department receives the students’ vaccine our students will be immunized.”

Verdun said absenteeism is running around average.

“Moulton is at about 15 percent and that is the highest of our buildings percentage wise and that is pretty normal,” continued Verdun. “That might be the kind of percentage we will get later on in the winter time when the regular flu season is full-bore.”

Verdun said he attended a meeting of about 30 superintendents at Sullivan.

“Most said they have not established a threshold percentage of when they would call off school,” Verdun said. “The ability to get qualified subs would probably be as much or more a factor than the kids being off.”

Cowden/Herrrick was closed on Monday due to high absenteeism. School was scheduled for today.

Shelby County Health Department Administrator Stephen Melega said his department received 1,800 doses of adult high-risk vaccine which has the preservative which caused children problems back in the 70s when this disease first went around.

“We have started vaccinating health care providers, teachers and administration staff at the schools,” said Melega.

Melega said the Health Department held a clinic at Cowden/Herrick on Friday and also held clinics for teachers at Central A&M on Monday morning and Shelbyville teachers and staff on Monday afternoon.

He said the Health Department will be treating some people on a case-by-case basis. He said his department has ordered 4,000 doses for students and as soon as it comes in they will be treating students.

“When the students doses come in we will be going out to the schools and vaccinating fifth grade through high school.

“Fourth grade down to pre-school clinics will be held at the Health Department because they will require 2 doses 28 days a part,” continued Melega.

Melega said Shelby Memorial has not received their order so the Health Department provided vaccine to the hospital and they are treating their staff as well as physician’s staff.