Montgomery, AL – Alabama health officials say only 20 to 25 percent of kindergarten through third-grade students in the state's 132 school districts received the nasal mist at school.
State health officer Dr. Donald Williamson and state schools Superintendent Joe Morton confirmed the low turnout. The vaccine was offered for children under 9 on a voluntary basis in schools from Nov. 30 through last Saturday. About 250,000 children were eligible.
Williamson told The Huntsville Times that he didn't have a final report. He said many children apparently got the vaccine from their doctors. He said decline in the swine flu outbreak may have also dissuaded some from taking the vaccine.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)