EXCERPT FROM: WTOC
By Jaime Dailey
BEAUFORT, SC (WTOC) - After a lot of anticipation, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control kicked off their H1N1 school based flu clinics today, vaccinating hundreds of children in the Lowcountry.
Young children are some of the most at risk for the H1N1 flu. That's why today more than 300 students at Mossy Oaks Elementary School rolled up their sleeves.
"This is just like a mosquito bite," said a DHEC official before administering the vaccine.
Many of these youngsters agree, it wasn't so bad.
"It kind of tickled me when I got it," said first grader Lukas Kinsey.
"Like a big old mosquito bite," said another first grader, Cort Martin.
"The kids have been fantastic," said Mossy Oaks principal Donald Gruel. "Obviously we were all concerned the idea of knowing they were coming to get the vaccine or a shot as they will tell you, but for Pre-K all the way up to grade five, it has gone well."
These school based flu clinics were supposed to start last week, but were postponed because the vaccine didn't come in as quickly as anticipated. While these students may be young, many knew exactly why they were getting the "shot"
"Because so I don't get the swine flu," said first grader Grant Sobokowski.
DHEC set up flu clinics at five schools throughout the area, hoping to vaccinate as many kids as possible.
"Vaccination is the best way to protect your child against the flu," said Nick Davidson with DHEC. "So we're happy so many parents, kids, schools are participating because to protect the community this is how we do it by starting with the kids and the schools."
But those under the age of 10 will have to roll up their sleeves once again.