School nurse urges students to get flu vaccine, LCSD receives new PPE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools are ensuring their students remain safe from the virus, as well as the flu. Lead Nurse of the Lauderdale County School District says the flu shot is not required in school, but is highly recommended.

“We are encouraging all of our students, our staff, faculty, parents to get the flu vaccine because it’s just another preventative measure that you can do to help stay well,” said Sheri Shelby, Lead Nurse of the Lauderdale County School District. “We are dealing with COVID, and COVID and flu can have some of the same symptoms.”

Symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat and body aches are just one in the same for the two. Nurse Shebi says getting the flu vaccine can help your immune system fight off the virus.

“COVID also just mimics regular colds and illnesses that we deal with for students on a regular basis, but getting the flu shot would definitely be an advantage to your immune system and to help you fight off if you do possibly contract the COVID virus,” said Shebi.

Looking ahead--the school district is also prepared for the new semester with new PPE by the Mississippi State Department of Education through their Safe and Healthy Schools Program. Dr. DeShannon Davis says equipment will be distributed to all schools in January.

“We have boxes and boxes of disposable masks and cloth masks. They gave us hand sanitizer, gloves and they said if we needed more, we could just contact them,” said Dr. DeShannon Davis, COVID Liaison of the Lauderdale County School District. “We’ve heard through the Mississippi State Department of Health and Dr. Dobbs that wearing your mask is essential, but also having a clean mask is what keeps our kids safe and healthy.”

Davis also said the Mississippi State Department of Health released some new COVID-19 guidelines for school districts today.