(Pictured: Melanie Kearns, RN BSN NCSN
Putnam County Schools nurse Melanie J. Kearns has been invited to share her
outstanding educational program to raise awareness about Meningitis at the 2012
National Association of School Nurses Conference in San Francisco this summer.
Kearns works in the Poca area schools. It was her efforts to educate Poca
Middle School students about the importance of vaccination and prevention in combating
the devastating effects of meningococcal meningitis that gained national
recognition. New West Virginia guidelines require meningitis vaccinations for next
year’s seventh graders.
As part of the educational program she developed, Kearns arranged numerous
activities highlighting the effects of meningitis. These included a speech from
mother who had lost her only child, student competitions and activities, parent
information, posters, and the creation of a website on the Poca Middle site.
New West Virginia legislation requiring meningitis vaccinations goes
into effect at the beginning of the 2012-13 school year. It requires all
entering 7th and 12th graders to show proof of immunization.
Kearns says that students may receive vaccinations from private
providers, the newly-formed School-based Health Clinics, or the Putnam County
Health Department.
Meanwhile, Kearns continues her multi-faceted approach to ensure that
all parents and students receive the message about vaccinating against and preventing
meningitis.