January 5, 2010

Dear Parent/Guardian,

On January 14, 2009 the Northern and Northern Early Learning Center clinic for second doses of H1N1 flu vaccine will take place at Northern. The clinic will run from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Only Northern/NELC students who were younger than 10 years of age at the time of our H1N1 flu vaccination clinic in the fall can be vaccinated at this upcoming clinic. Children who were older than 10 years of age at the time of our fall clinic do not need second doses of H1N1 flu vaccine.

Our clinic for second doses of H1N1 flu vaccine will be very similar to the clinic that we held in the fall. In awaiting this second clinic, please keep these important facts in mind:

• H1N1 flu is a potentially dangerous virus and experts expect to see another surge of H1N1 flu in the coming months. 
• Second doses of H1N1 flu vaccine are important for children who are younger than 10 years of age. First doses only provide many young children with partial immunity.

• Children who received H1N1 flu vaccine at our first clinic are already registered to receive second doses at our second clinic. You do not need to sign additional consent forms.

With this letter you are receiving the responses to many frequently asked questions regarding school-based clinics for second doses of H1N1 flu vaccine. If you have any additional questions about H1N1 flu and school-based clinics for second doses of H1N1 flu vaccine, you can contact the Rhode Island Department of Health’s H1N1 Information Line at (401) 222-8022 or write to H1N1@health.ri.gov.

With your continued support we look forward to another successful H1N1 vaccination clinic and to limiting illness-related absences this year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Monique Latessa, Principal

For more information regarding H1N1 please visit the RI Department of Health website for the most up to date information.

Absences:  When your child is out it is extremely important that you call the school at 769-0261 and provide us with as much information as possible regarding your child's illness, i.e. stomach bug, fever, sore throat, etc.

     The Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Education continue to monitor school attendance on a daily basis to ensure the safest environment possible for our students.