H1N1 Vaccine
Parents of students at risk of flu complications are encouraged to talk with their child’s doctor to see if the H1N1 vaccine should be given. The current available supply of H1N1 vaccine coming into the state of Texas is going to pediatricians and clinics that see children ages two to four. Parents may find that they can get their child vaccinated more quickly by working with their primary health care provider.
Katy ISD will continue to monitor the flow of H1N1 vaccine into our area and will work closely with third-party providers to make H1N1 vaccinations available to our community in the same manner as we do the seasonal flu vaccine.
H1N1 Frequently Asked Questions
What are considered severe flu symptoms in children?
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Be so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms that improve then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
For a complete list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding H1N1, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Web site.
2009-10 Exemption Procedure Changes
Katy ISD recognizes that earning exemptions is very important to our high school students and maintaining good attendance is one of the several criteria which must be met. However, because of the current flu outbreak and health advisories related to it, the traditional attendance requirement for exemptions may not be realistic this year. Most cases of the flu seem to last about 4 - 5 days and students are encouraged to stay home from school if they are sick and remain home for 24 hours after they are fever free.
Katy ISD wants high school students and their parents to be able to make the decision to remain home for the full recovery period without unnecessary concern about their exemptions. As such, the exemption procedures for the 2009-2010 school year have been adjusted in a manner which the district believes is responsive to the current health needs of our school community. Basically, the revised procedure allows five additional days of excused absence for illness for students who meet all other exemption criteria.
The absences for fall semester exemptions could occur anytime between August 24 and December 18, 2009. All other criteria for earning exemptions remain the same. Assuming the flu outbreak is still prevalent this winter, the district will adjust the spring exam exemption procedures in a similar manner.
2009-10 Revised Exemption Procedures