May 20, 2013
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Knox Co. Health Dept. is trying to make it easier for parents sign off on their kids getting their flu shot at school. New changes will let parents and guardians complete and digitally sign consent forms online or on their smart phones.
“These electronic consent forms will help reduce the likelihood that something as simple as lost paperwork will prevent Knox County’s children from getting a flu vaccination,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said.
Parents who want to fill out the forms online just need to go to http://zippslip.com and click on the "Get Started" button. The Health Dept. said the whole process takes just a few minutes. The system will also provide scheduled updates and confirmations privately throughout the campaign.
“For the past six years, more than 47 percent of the eligible children have received a flu vaccination,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, KCHD director. “This year’s goal is to vaccinate at least 55 percent, and we’ve streamlined the consent process to make it easier for parents to get their children protected.”
The school-based vaccination clinic will run from Oct. 24 through Nov. 18, using FluMist intranasal vaccine.
Paper consent forms are also available online at knoxcounty.org/health The health department added that no child will be vaccinated without a consent form.
