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Officials urge H1N1 vaccine for children
Posted: 09.01.2009 at 10:02 AM
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Authorities are continuing their push for school-age children to be vaccinated for the H1N1 virus.

A meeting at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco was held on Monday.

Authorities highlighted reasons why people 24 years and younger should be vaccinated by October. 

County and state health leaders talked about the group's risk of catching and spreading the flu virus.

When it comes to school closures, Dr. Brian Smith with the Texas Department of State Health Services said they will be handled differently.

"Now that we know we have regular transmission in the community and we know the aspect of the disease we don't need to close schools unless there's special situations going on," he said. 

Health officials told Actin 4 News that closures will likely be based off absentism rates from last school year.

Dr. Smith urges parents of children 5 years old and younger to get the vaccination.

He said the age group has the highest risk of complications from H1N1, including death.

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