Madison students can opt for flu mist on Sept. 2

Deadline to return the forms for the flu mist clinics to the student’s teacher is Aug. 26. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison City Schools will conduct “Flu Mist Health Hero Clinics” on campuses on Sept. 2.

A parent or guardian must complete all information and sign a consent form for a student to receive the vaccine. Teachers sent the consent and vaccine information home with students on Aug. 18. Deadline to return the forms to the student’s teacher is Aug. 26.

HNH Immunizations Inc. will administer the mist vaccinations. No deductible or out-of-pocket expenses are associated with the Flu Mist Health Hero Clinics.

Students who do not have health insurance will receive the flu vaccine at no cost. Private insurance companies, including Medicaid, Blue Cross and Blue Shield and ALL Kids, will be billed.

The flu mist is a live, “attenuated” or weakened vaccine, according to school nurses. Because the vaccine is weakened, the virus can not make the child sick or spread the virus to other people.

The chances of a child contracting the flu from another child that has been vaccinated with the flu mist are 1 in 1 trillion, nurses said. The chances of a child getting the flu from another unvaccinated student are 1 in 7.

The flu mist is painless and offers longer protection than a flu shot.