By Mike Blaha
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Today, this school, with the aid of the Visiting Nurse Service (NVS) will provide flu and pneumonia shots to students and community members alike who wish to receive them.
According to school nurse Carol Gelatt, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) has been taking an interest in schools lately.
“The CDC is targeting schools because children are the main carriers [of sicknesses]” Gelatt said.
The CDC recommends that anyone from 6 months of age to 18 years, as well as people above the age of 50 should be vaccinated, especially if they have a job working among young children.
The price of the shots will range from 15 to 45 dollars depending on the type of shot.
There are six different kinds of shots. Two are limitly available.
Gelatt said she recommends the flu shot for high school students.
The shots will be given on the home side during the Ben Davis game from 5 to 7 p.m., and anyone under the age of 18 will need a parental consent form to be turned in at the time the shot is administered.
Parental consent forms can be found at the health center.
Besides just getting vaccinated, Gelatt said that prevention is also key to staying healthy.
“Washing your hands is important, as well as remembering to sneeze into your elbow or a Kleenex when you sneeze. Also, if you have a fever over 100 degrees, it is important to stay home for at least twenty-four hours after the fever has receded,” Gelatt said. Additional reporting by Afra Hussain.