Students in Biloxi Public Schools will have a chance to receive free H1NI vaccinations in a few weeks, if their parents choose to sign consent forms.

Jalena Taylor, a registered nurse with Biloxi Public Schools, told the Biloxi school board this week that the district was working with the Mississippi State Department of Health and Biloxi Regional Medical Center to help inform parents about the offer of free vaccinations for students.

“Earlier this month, vaccines were ordered and should arrive within a month,” Taylor said. Informational letters and consent forms will be distributed to students within the next few weeks, and vaccination clinics will be set up at individual schools once consent letters are signed and returned.

Among those particularly susceptible to H1NI, or the so-called swine flu, are those ages 6 months to 24 years, and, as a result, the department of health is urging school districts to offer mass vaccinations.

“Biloxi Regional will provide physicians, registered nurses, and other support staff to assist in the vaccination clinics at individual schools,” Taylor said. “Biloxi school nurses are supportive of this mass vaccination effort. When the time arrives in a month or so, we hope to have a good response to this offer of the H1N1 vaccine in school district.”

For background on H1NI and tips on how you can minimize the risk, click here.

Latest enrollment: Enrollment in Biloxi Public Schools stood at more than 4,800 students as of Monday, still short of the 6,100 pre-Katrina figure, but nearly 160 students more than at the end of the 2008-09 school year. To see the breakdown on school-by-school enrollment today and since Katrina, click here.

Noontime interruption: The routine at Biloxi High School was interrupted for 90 minutes at lunchtime today after a phoned-in bomb threat. The call prompted a school evacuation and building search by the Biloxi Police bomb squad. Those students who were enjoying lunch when the threat was phoned in were allowed to return to dining before attending their afternoon classes. Police are investigating the origin of the call.

Halloween time: The City of Biloxi is planning a Halloween bash this Saturday on the Biloxi Town Green, followed up by one in Woolmarket. And next weekend it's Catfish Kids Day at the pond in Hiller Park next weekend. For details on the events, click here.

Band boosters: Members of the band boosters, continuing their efforts to raise money for a planned trip to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on New Year's Eve, will be hold a fund-raising event this evening from 6 to 8 at Chick-Fil-A at Edgewater Mall.