Akron Children’s school-based flu clinics are underway

10-02-2020 (Akron, Mahoning Valley, Ohio )

Akron Children’s Hospital is partnering with more than a dozen school districts to make it easier and more convenient than ever to get children immunized for the flu.  

“The best way to minimize or avoid the spread of influenza is to get an annual flu vaccine,” said Michele Wilmoth, director of School Health Services for Akron Children’s. “The vaccine protects against the new strains of the flu so it is important to get vaccinated annually.”

Akron Children’s partners with an organization called Health Heroes to provide the flu vaccine to all children whose parents consent to it, regardless or their health care coverage.

Flu vaccines are provided at no cost to students, parents, or schools or local/state government. Medicaid and private insurers will be billed. However, parents will never be billed for out-of-pocket expenses or deductibles. Qualifying uninsured students can be given the vaccine at no charge.

The participating schools and school districts are:

• Akron Public Schools
• Bristol Local Schools
• Copley-Fairlawn City Schools
• Coventry Local Schools
• Cuyahoga Falls City Schools
• East Palestine City Schools
• Independence Local Schools
• Kent City Schools
• Nordonia Hills City School District
• Rootstown Local Schools
• Sebring Local Schools
• Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools
• Tallmadge City Schools
• Triway Local Schools
• Walsh Jesuit High School
• Woodridge Local Schools
• Wooster City Schools
• Windham Exempted Village Schools

“This is a win-win for everyone,” said Wilmoth. “We can save parents a trip to the doctor and keep kids in class. If we get more kids immunized, we can reduce the risk of influenza in our schools and communities and we can especially reduce the risk for our more vulnerable children, such as those with chronic health conditions.”

The process of giving the flu shots should be as easy and orderly as each school’s student picture day, says Wilmoth. The vaccinations will be administered by state-licensed nurses.

Health Heroes takes care of collecting consent forms and will bill private insurance carriers and Medicaid for the cost of the vaccine. The organization’s business model allows it to absorb the cost of vaccines for uninsured children. Teachers and school staff will also be offered the vaccine. 

Other Upcoming Akron Children’s Flu Clinics

Details about how to get a flu shot at Akron Children’s through its Urgent Care locations, network of pediatric primary care offices - Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics – and drive-through clinics can be found here: akronchildrens.org/flu