School Swine Flu Policy

An estimated 750,000 to 1 million people became ill during last spring's H1N1 influenza outbreak. The greatest occurrence was in the school age group of 5 to 17 years old. This fall and winter, the city Department of Health expects illness from flu, both seasonal and H1N1, will circulate again but a response plan is in place.

The Department of Health is recommending two vaccines against influenza. "The seasonal flu shot will not protect you from H1N1 and H1N1 will not protect you from seasonal flu," said DOH Assistant Commissioner Chris Manning. "Get both," he advised.

Last spring, most people recovered completely from H1N1 flu within 4 to 5 days, said Manning. The separate vaccinations, one for H1N1 and one for seasonal flu, will be available in October. Speaking at the September 22 meeting of the Queens Borough Cabinet, Manning called vaccination a "key component" that will boost the body's immunity. "They are safe," he said.

Seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for:

•People 50 and older

•Children 6 months to 18 years old

•People with chronic conditions, such as, heart, lung, kidney, blood, neurological, and immune system disorders, and people with diabetes or on aspirin

•Pregnant women •Caregivers of infants under 6 months •Healthcare workers •Residents of long term care facilities •Anyone else requesting H1N1 Vaccine is recommended for: •Pregnant women

•People 6 months to 24 years old

•People 25 to 64 with chronic conditions, such as, asthma, diabetes, heart, kidney, neurological, and immune system disorders

•People who live with or care for children less than 6 months old

•Healthcare workers and emergency medical responders

The city Health and Hospitals Corporation has made vaccinations for all its healthcare workers mandatory by November 30.

A special initiative to vaccinate schoolchildren against H1N1 will also be implemented. The policy will provide for on-site vaccination in all elementary schools (with parental consent) and weekend vaccine clinics where parents can bring school age children for shots, running from late October through December.

"We are confident there will be adequate supplies (of vaccination)," said Manning.

This school year, the Department of Education will not plan to close schools with flu activity. Instead, the emphasis will be on preventative measures, i.e., washing hands, avoid touching mouth and nose, cover coughs and sneezes.

Hand soap will be available in schools and parents are advised to keep children home from school if they have a fever and cough or sore throat.

If a school reports 5 cases of influenzalike illness among students in attendance, parents will receive a reminder asking them to keep ill children at home. If a nurse sees 4 percent of students (minimum number of 15 students) with influenza-like illness during one school day, an on-site assessment will be conducted, and additional infection control measures will be taken, including an assessment of the risk to vulnerable children (with special needs or health issues).

Closing a school will be considered only if it is deemed that vulnerable children are at risk. For more information go to www.nyc.gov/flu.