Letter In Thai From Son's School

[Marvo]

Forgive the intrusion to the language forum for the blatant requesting of a favor.

A clinic want to come to my partner's son's school and "sell" what I understand to be "flu" jabs.

Could anyone please tell me what they are proposing and what the treatment is specifically. e.g is it a vaccine for "swine flu"? I didn't think there was a vaccine out yet.

Many thanks in advance.

[kriswillems]

It's about flu vaccinations.

Your can choose to get 0, 1 or 2 vaccinations for your child.

Every vaccination cost 450B

You've to pay before the 17th

The first vaccination is on 20th or 28th (I can read the stamp very well).

It's for normal flu.

It's for children between 6 months and 8 years.

The first time (if your child has never been vaccinated) he/she needs to get 2 needles with 1 month in between.

After that he/she will only need 1 needle per year.

Edited June 18, 2009 by kriswillems

[KhaoNiaw]

Yes, regular flu not swine flu.

[Marvo]

Thanks very much for that translation guys 'n' gals, much appreciated.

Now I'm wondering what the incidence of "regular" 'flu is in Thai children, - the boy in question is 8yrs. Is it common for them to have jabs like this or is the clinic profiteering on the "swine flu" fear I wonder?

[PoorSucker]

It's just a scam.

Making some easy bucks of peoples fears.

Like this one:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Doctors-Clai...-F-t274254.html

[CSS]

It's just a scam.

Making some easy bucks of peoples fears.

Like this one:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Doctors-Clai...-F-t274254.html

I disagree. This is not a scam and entirely unrelated to the link provided by khun "PoorSucker." It's simply a school/hospital joint project to guard against the common flu with the purpose of limiting the number student school absences due to the flu.

Here's a fuller translation of the letter. Though it seems they wanted the permission slip returned by the 17th.

"Flu is an illness that is easily spread (contagious) through breathing the pathogens into your body. It is spread through coughs and sneezes. The symptoms of the flu can have negative effects on a child's studies. It can force a child to miss many days at school. However, now-a-days the flu can easily be avoided with a flu shot vaccine. This method is very effective and successful for children. Children can begin receiving shots at the age of six months through adulthood.

Therefore, the school invited the Muang Phet-Tonburi Hospital to join with the school in a campaign to safe-guard the students, parents, and general public from the flu through the following activities:

-Form a Board and spread knowledge and understanding about the flu to parents and the general public.

-Administer vaccinations (for parents that are interested in guarding the flu from their children/grandchildren)

For children between the ages of six months and eight years that have never before received a vaccine shot, two shots (spaced by 1 month) are necessary and a shot must be repeated yearly (only one shot is required in subsequent years) because the flu strain/gene changes each year. Anyone allergic to chicken eggs, duck eggs, or any kind of eggs, must not get a shot.

Muang Phet-Tonburi Hospital therefore has organized the availability of flu vaccinations at a discounted student price for the students with their parents permission and who pay. They ask to collect 450 baht per shot for the one shot vaccine, discounted from the regular price of 640 baht (This program is not required, it is up to the parents discretion whether they see it as worthwhile).

Flu Vaccine Reply card

School name…….

I, the parent/guardian of…..

Age…. Grade….. Number…..

__ Consent. together with payment of 450 baht (for 1 shot)

__ Consent. Together with payment of 900 baht (for two shots)

__ Do not consent.

Note: please return this form and payment to the relevant teacher before June 17th."

[Marvo]

Thanks CSS for the time given in translating for me. For the money, even though it has nothing to do with "swine" flu, it maybe worth taking up. Can't help wondering why they suddenly start offering it now though. Have Thailand's hospitals previously had an active policy of vaccinating school children against 'flu before all the H1N1 publicity?

Again CSS, many thanks.