Swine flu vaccinations will begin in the city’s public elementary schools next week, officials said Tuesday as they encouraged parents to sign consent forms being sent home with students now.
The city is staggering the schedule to deliver the vaccine as it becomes available. Schools with fewer than 400 students will begin next Wednesday. Schools with more than 600 students will begin Nov. 4, and the rest on Nov. 9. The vaccinations will be given by school nurses and are expected to be available for about eight weeks. Private schools that choose to participate will also receive the vaccine.
Middle and high school students can go to weekend “vaccination events” in November and December, officials said.
Children will get an injection or a nasal spray form of the vaccine, and those younger than 10 years old will need two doses to be fully protected, officials said.
