Message from Coach Long and the DePauw Athletic Training Staff - H1N1

Coach Long and Rex Call, Head Athletic Trainer, asked us to pass on this information. They have previously shared with the men already.

They wanted to advise that the Putnam County Health Department is providing H1N1 Immunizations this coming Thursday, Oct. 29. Coach has offered that anyone wanting to be immunized will be permitted time-off. The school is going to be emailing the student body with more complete information. The university is supporting informing the DePauw family about the immunization program.

This blog IS NEITHER an endorsement or a condemnation, but simply conveying information from Coach Long and the training staff per their wishes. There are a number of qualified individuals that feel strongly both ways on whether this is an appropriate time for an athletic team in the heart of their season to be immunized. That is a decision that each of us as parents' needs to make after seeking the information necessary to have a meaningful discussions with our son's. The H1N1 is a nasal mist, therefore a live virus innoculation that can produce flu-like symptoms. Obviously the immunization can be very beneficial long-term, but it could cause sickness short term.

If anyone wants to share information or links that could help us make good decisions, please feel free to post your comments here for all to see. All I ask is for civility to be our moderator as I understand that there are very strong feelings on both side of this discussion.