Back-to-School H1N1 Flu Prevention Tips

As the new school year begins, we wanted to make sure charter schools, parents, and students were well informed of the federal government’s efforts around H1N1 influenza, Swine Flu.  We’ve created this page to help publicize the best information available.  If you have questions or concerns, please email H1N1questions@publiccharters.org.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that the situation this fall is unpredictable but warns that H1N1 transmissions may increase.  Please click here for official CDC H1N1 guidance for school administrators and state and local public health officials. 

The CDC has been working with state departments of public health and other private partners to create plans for delivering newly created H1N1 vaccines to designated sites throughout the country this fall.  You may want to contact your state’s Charter Support Organization (CSO) to make sure that the vaccine will be available at your charter school.  If you work for a CSO, the Alliance recommends that you contact your state department of public health to ensure that charter schools are included in the state’s flu prevention plan.

Click below for H1N1 flu information in your state:

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H1N1 NEWS UPDATES

October 27, 2009: The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the antiviral drug peramivir in certain patients hospitalized with H1N1 influenza. Read more here.

October 24, 2009: President Obama declares H1N1 virus a public health emergency.  This declaration will help health care facilities respond to a larger number of H1N1-infected patients by allowing the waiver of certain federal requirements on a case-by-case basis. 

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H1N1 Vaccination Info

•  Health officials across the country are recommending that young people ages 6 months to 24 years receive both the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine.

•  September 15, 2009: the US Food and Drug Administration approved four H1N1 flu vaccines manufactured by the following companies: 

o CSL Limited; 

o MedImmune LLC;  

o Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited; and, 

o Sanofi Pasteur Inc.

•  October 5, 2009: The first doses of the H1N1 vaccine will be delivered to doctors across the country this week.

•  The first shipments will be in the form of a nasal spray, called H1N1 Live Attenuated Intranasal Vaccine (H1N1 LAIV).

•  The injectable H1N1 vaccine should be available either the week of October 9th or 12th.

•  Children ages 9 and under who have never had the flu or a flu shot will need 2 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, as well as 2 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine.  

o A child can receive one dose of the H1N1 vaccine and one dose of the seasonal flu vaccine during the same visit.

o The next round of H1N1 and seasonal flu shots should be received 21 days later.  

•  Children ages 10 and older only need one H1N1 dose and one seasonal flu dose. These can be given at the same time.  

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Continuity of Learning Guidance

In the event of a school closure or prolonged student absence, the U.S. Department of Education released guidance on how schools can continue student learning during school dismissals or extended student absences. Some of the Department’s recommendations include:

• Sending assignments home with students;
• Putting together online materials for the school website;
• Using technologies (telephone, email, web conferencing) to facilitate one-on-one interactions between students and teachers;
• Hosting class webinars; and,
• Recording class meetings for absent students. 

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Signs and Symptoms 

H1N1 flu has symptoms much like any flu.  Keep an eye out for any of the following symptoms: 

• Sore throat; fever; runny or stuffy nose; body aches; fatigue; chills; headache; diarrhea; vomiting

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing; bluish or gray skin color; not drinking enough fluids; severe or persistent vomiting; not interacting; flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Here are the CDC’s emergency warning symptoms to watch for in adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

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Prevent School Wide Illness 

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus in school is to have children stay home if they’re sick with flu-like illness.  Particularly if children get the flu in an area where people have contracted the H1N1 virus, the CDC recommends that kids stay home at least 24 hours after the fever passes without the use of fever-reducing medicines. 

Remind your students to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze and to WASH THEIR HANDS frequently! 

Make sure that doorknobs, water fountains, and other surfaces touched frequently are cleaned on a routine basis. 

Whether the charter school operates as its own local educational agency (LEA) or within a larger LEA, school officials should remain aware of the swine flu risk in the community.  School dismissals may be necessary if the risk is severe, but the CDC indicates that this strategy would only be applicable to very few schools nationwide. 

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Check our webpage periodically for important federal information and updates on the H1N1 virus.

Best of luck in the new school year!

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Additional Resources: 

• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Resources for Child Care Programs, Schools, Colleges, and Universities
• Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K – 12)
• Flu.gov “School Planning”
• Ed.gov “H1N1 Flu Information”
• Contact Your State Charter School Support Organization
• Reach Out to Your State’s Department of Public Health
• Preparing for the Flu: Department of Education Recommendations to Ensure the Continuity of Learning for Schools (K-12) During Extended Student Absence or School Dismissal