Dear ,
 
As homeschool parents, we're facing a new challenge this year--the H1N1 influenza virus. With an early flu season already upon us, we have the additional concerns for the health of our families. Home Educators Association of Virginia is not endorsing or encouraging vaccination, but is working with state officials to make sure homeschool parents have equal access to the H1N1 vaccine, if they decide to vaccinate their children.
 
Improved Availability of the H1N1 Vaccine for Homeschoolers
HEAV recently participated in a conference call with Dr. Karen Remley, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health, to discuss the availability of the H1N1 vaccine to non-public-school students. Along with HEAV, private school representatives, HSLDA Senior Attorney Scott Woodruff, Parrish Mort of VAHomeschoolers, and an attorney from the attorney general's office joined the discussion.
 
With the H1N1 vaccine having sporadic distribution and a limited supply, we all expressed concern that homeschooling parents who want to vaccinate their children will not find the vaccine readily available. I particularly expressed concern that ALL children in the at-risk target group should have the same priority. While pediatric vaccine clinics have been made available at public schools, homeschoolers have not been allowed to receive the vaccine because of security issues. We do not want homeschooled children, who are included in the CDC's at-risk target group, at the back of the health-clinic line with the general population.
 
Discussion Conclusions
A workable solution for ALL children included in the at-risk target group was our goal, and Commissioner Remley and her staff listened intently to our concerns, and expressed a desire to work out an equitable solution as quickly as possible. She explained the vaccine development and distribution process, including ordering and shipping, and that unexpected delays at any point in the process can cause the cancellation of scheduled clinics. Based on a percentage formula, vaccine continues to arrive at local health departments and private doctors' offices, and the state health department expects vaccine availability to increase in November.
 
After a discussion of homeschool demographics, Dr. Remley concluded she would direct local health departments to establish weekly clinics for school-age children. She would post information on the Virginia Department of Health's website, and work with homeschool organizations to make this information known to homeschool families. The information below outlining possible vaccine sources for non-public school students is based on a follow-up memo from Dr. Remley.
 
Potential H1N1 Vaccine Sources for School-aged Children

• Local Health Department
  As of November 1, each health department will hold a weekly vaccination opportunity for school-aged children, which is open to ALL children. Availability will be publicized via website, distribution lists, and Department of Health partners. If vaccine is received, a minimum of 5% of the vaccine received in the prior week will be reserved for this program. These vaccination opportunities may be at a health department or at another site in the community. Vaccinating younger children will be at the discretion of the health district director.
  
  Parents may also call their local health department to inquire about upcoming clinics. Some health departments maintain a list of interested parents and may contact you when the vaccine arrives. Parents may also discuss arranging a pediatric vaccination clinic for a group of homeschooled children at a health clinic or another site where a group of homeschoolers may gather.
  
  All H1N1 vaccinations obtained through the health department are free. You can find your local health district and contact information at www.vdh.virginia.gov.

• Organize a Vaccine Clinic
  After appropriate agreements are signed, any licensed physician in Virginia can register to become an H1N1 vaccinator, and receive H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available. A support group or organization may work with a local physician to set up a vaccination site, using paid or volunteer nurses and/or physicians to provide the vaccine. The vaccine and supplies are provided at no charge. The vaccine administrator may charge only an administration fee or may provide the vaccinations at no cost. For more information about setting up your own vaccination site, see www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/DiseasePrevention/H1N1/ProviderResources.htm.
  
  For daily updated information about vaccine location sites, regularly visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or www.h1n1get1.com.
  
  If you have arranged for, or know of, a scheduled pediatric clinic in your area, and you would like HEAV to publish it in our weekly Update, please e-mail the date, time, location, and any other important details to support@heav.org. It is important we get this information in a timely fashion in order to post it in the Update.

Parting Note
HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parents. Because homeschoolers fall within the at-risk target group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV wants to make sure parents of homeschooled children have equal access to the vaccine and have the information they need to make the right decisions for their family members.
 
With warm regards,
 
 
Yvonne Bunn
Director of Homeschool Support