PROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline today urged parents of Providence school children to take an important step towards protecting their children against H1N1: sign parental consent forms for the H1N1 vaccination immediately.  The Rhode Island Health Department will begin vaccinating students against H1N1 at school-based clinics beginning November 2. 

“It’s critically important that parents take this important step to protect their children against the potentially dangerous H1N1,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “Without a signed consent form, the Health Department will not be able to administer the vaccination to your child. I’m urging parents to return vaccination consent forms to their children’s schools immediately.”

The Health department mailed the consent forms to parents two weeks ago urging parents to return the completed forms to their child’s school as soon as possible.  Parents and guardians may also obtain consent forms in English and Spanish on the Health Department’s website along with a complete schedule of school-based H1N1 vaccination clinics.  The forms and schedules are also available at all Providence schools.

Mayor Cicilline also reminded parents to encourage their children to take the following precautions:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water
•  If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow

The Health Department advises parents to keep their children home and closely monitor them if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.  Seek emergency medical attention if the following symptoms occur:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish color on skin or around mouth and lips
• Dehydration (no tears, dried lips and mouth, not drinking enough fluids)
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough
• Fever with a rash

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