Health Updates

New Immunizations Requirements

 

The Hepatitis A vaccine will now be required for children beginning the next school year (2018-2019.)  Children should receive the first of two doses soon to meet the August 2018 deadline. 

Under a new state regulation all Kentucky students must have proof of receiving the required Hepatitis A vaccine by the first day of school.  (The anticipated first day of school for Rowan County will be August 9, 2018.)

The first in the series of two doses should be given in January or February in order to be compliant by the first day of school for the 2018-2019 school year.  Hepatitis A vaccine doses must be spaced six months apart, so receiving the first dose in mid-February will allow students to receive both doses before the beginning of the school year.

Parents and guardians should contact their child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider to set up appointments to receive the required immunization.  If your child has already received the Hepatitis A vaccine, parents/guardians should request a new immunization form from the healthcare provider showing the dates that the immunizations were administered.

NOTE:  Children age 16 or older are also required to provide proof of having received the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

For more information about the required immunizations, please contact Renée Smith, Rowan County Schools District Health Coordinator at 606-784-8928 or renee.smith1@rowan.kyschools.us.

 

Does my child have a cold or is it the flu? 

 

There are differences and similarities between the common cold and the flu.  Below is a list of cold symptoms and flu symptoms. 

 

Symptoms	Cold	Flu
Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (100-102°F); lasts three to four days
Headache	Rare	Prominent
General Aches, Pains	Slight	Usual; often severe
Fatigue, Weakness	Quite mild	Can last up to two to three weeks
Extreme Exhaustion	Never	Early and prominent
Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes
Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes
Chest Discomfort, Cough	Mild to moderate; hacking cough	Common; can become severe
Complications	Sinus congestion or earache	Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening
Prevention	None	Annual vaccination; Symmetrel, Flumadine, or Tamiflu (antiviral drugs)
Treatment	Only temporary relief of symptoms	Symmetrel, Flumadine, Relenza, or Tamiflu within 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms

 

 

Important Recommendations for Parents, Students and School Staff:

• Hand washing is the key. Wash hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• If you cough or sneeze and do not have access to a tissue, use your elbow instead of your hand.
• Avoid shaking hands, kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
• Frequently clean surfaces and items that people are likely to have contact with, such as desks, door knobs, keyboards, or pens with cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas.
• Move sick students, teachers and staff to a separate room if they become sick until they can be sent home.
• Sick students and staff will be sent home and are encouraged to seek early medical evaluation.  They need to be fever-free for at least 24 hours without using medication before returning to school.