WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | H1N1 consent form causes confusion for some JCPS parents

H1N1 consent form causes confusion for some JCPS parents

By Shayla Reaves - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - H1N1 clinics are more than a week away for Jefferson County public school students, but officials say there is already a snag in the process. The problem is in the paperwork. A mistake on the form can be the difference between getting a vaccine or not.

"The permission form is what needs to come back to the schools," said Bonnie Ciarroccki, health services coordinator for the Jefferson County Public Schools. "In some cases parents aren't answering all the questions about their child and or not signing it."

The concern is so great, JCPS made a public service announcement about it. The online video is posted on the school system's website and uses students to explain the consent form.

At Meyzeek Middle School, forms went out to more than 1,000 students November 9. While Chris Burba, Meyzeek’s principal, says that over half have already been returned, there is a trouble spot on the for that sticks out that sticks out for officials.

"There's one line under the signature line that requires the parent to initial that they have received the HIPPA privacy notice," Burba said. "That line is seeming to get lost on some of the papers."

"The schools are sending back forms or either calling the parent and saying 'Can you come in and finish this piece of this form that you missed?'" Ciarroccki said.

Parents must choose the kind of vaccine they want for their child; the nasal mist, the shot or whichever is available. Just choosing one method could mean the student won't get vaccinated.

"If we get to a school and the parent has checked off that they just want the mist, and not either, then that way the nurse cannot give them the other option," Ciarroccki said.

"We are not allowed to add any information to the form or write on it," said Burba.

One thing is clear if you want your child to get the vaccine at all.

"We need all the information for the health and safety of the child and for the nurse to be able to give that vaccine," Ciarroccki said.

The JCPS clinics start the Monday after Thanksgiving and run through December 18th.

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