These vaccinations will be offered Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. at 825 N. McDonald Street in McKinney.  Both Medicare Part B and Medicaid will be accepted. 

 For those without Medicare Part B or Medicaid, the flu shot for an adult is $20 and for children the cost ranges from $0 to $14 depending on income.  However, no child will be turned away.  To determine the availability of the flu vaccines on any given day, please call our clinic at 972-548-5500.

When it comes to the flu, some in our community are considered at high risk. This group includes:
•  Adults 65 or over;
• Children 6-23 months;
• Children 2 years of age or older who live with one or more children less than 6 months old;
• Adults and children with other long-term health problems;
• Pregnant women;
• Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities;
• Health care workers; and,
• People who live with or care for children less than six months of age.

There are also some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting with their physician.  They include:
• People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
• Those who have had a severe reaction to flu shots in the past;
• Anyone with an allergy to Thimerosol;
• Those who have a fever; and,
• Children less than 6 months old.

Collin County recently was awarded a $707,309 grant from the U.S. Center for Disease Control to address the H1N1 - or swine flu -- vaccinations.  These vaccinations should be available by mid-October.  The primary focus of the grant is to increase availability to people who are considered high risk, such as those listed above. When available, this vaccination will be provided free of charge.

Even with the vaccines, the best way to prevent any strain of flu is to develop good health habits.  For example:
• Washing your hands sounds so basic, but over 20 infectious agents can be avoided by doing this;
• If you are sick, say at home!  One school has already closed for a day due to sickness;
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.  If a tissue is not available sneeze into your elbow to avoid contaminating your hands; and,
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth-especially after shaking hands.

In preparation for the flu season Collin County's Homeland Security Department will establish a flu surveillance system.  This will allow both situational awareness and easy calculations of school absenteeism on a daily basis, district-wide, for school nurse coordinators, superintendents and public health officials. 

2-1-1 is the local access point for all calls related to H1N1 (general and medical inquires).  An Information Call Specialist will be responsible for responding to inquires from the general public regarding to the following:
•  Location of vaccine clinics
• Providing general information about symptoms of H1N1
• Dispelling any myths
• Providing possible school closure information

Also, for more information on this year's influenza season the Center for Disease Control has a weekly update that can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. 
 

As of May 5, Collin County and City of Plano health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have determined that school closure is not advised for a suspected case of Influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised. This new recommendation allows the Plano Independent School District to reopen its three campuses and resume normal activities.

All campuses, including Wilson Middle School, Sigler Elementary School and Barron Early Childhood School will resume their regular schedule Wednesday, May 6.

Additionally, all school activities and field trips, both inside and outside the district, will resume on May 6.  This applies to all campuses.

Facility rentals and use will resume as scheduled on May 6.

The Plano ISD Teacher of the Year Gala is scheduled for May 21.

As a reference, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the following link:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/k12_dismissal.htm

The safety and well-being of our students are of the utmost importance to us.  Plano ISD is making decisions regarding H1N1 based on the district’s close collaboration with Collin County and City of Plano health authorities and in accordance with guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services. Please check our website for updates.

Dear Renters Of Plano ISD Facilities:

Plano ISD has decided to discontinue the rental of its’ facilities to outside organizations until further notice.   This is your notification by Plano ISD.

Currently, it is estimated that facilities will be available on May 18th.

The Plano Independent School District is managing the conditions related to the Influenza A H1N1 virus (H1N1) regarding campus closings, fielding employee inquiries, and expecting guidelines to be issued by the Texas Education Agency.  Plano ISD is making decisions based on the district’s close collaboration with Collin County and City of Plano health authorities and in accordance with guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services. Updates on this situation are on an hourly and daily basis.
Decisions to open/close schools are based on joint efforts with health authorities, as well as laboratory findings and physical symptoms of those affected. Plano ISD has posted this web page to provide answers to frequently asked questions related to H1N1 and its affect on Plano schools. Robyn White, contact for Facility Rentals for Plano ISD, will update you weekly.

Thanks for your understanding and patience,
Richard Matkin
Associate Superintendent Business Services

(Plano, Texas) The Plano Independent School District, in close collaboration with the Collin County and City of Plano health authorities and in accordance with guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services, announces today (May 3) the immediate closure of Barron Early Childhood School and Sigler Elementary School due to a few strong probable cases of Influenza A
H1N1 virus (swine flu). At this time, the district anticipates both campuses to reopen on May 18.

Additionally, Plano ISD announces that Wilson Middle School, which was previously closed due to influenza concerns, anticipates resumption of classes on May 18 rather than May 11.

Symptoms of the Influenza A H1N1 virus are similar to symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Persons exhibiting these symptoms are encouraged to see their physician immediately for a flu test and report the findings to their school nurse.

While students are not attending school, health officials are encouraging students to remain at home and not to congregate with other students at public places such as malls and restaurants. Questions about the H1N1 virus may be addressed to the Texas Department of State Health Services hotline at 1-888-777-5320.

Deputy Superintendent Jeff Bailey said, “The health of our students and staff is the major concern of Plano ISD. We are making these decisions for the well-being of our students, staff and families.”

Mr. Bailey added, “We appreciate the cooperation of our staff, parents and community during this challenging time.”