Fidelity:

August 7, 2009

(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services) -- Worries about widespread outbreaks of H1N1 flu -- commonly referred to as swine flu -- have Virginia education and health officials considering school-wide immunization programs once the vaccine is available in mid- to late fall.

The idea of school-wide programs has merit because children are most at risk and most in need of the vaccine, said Julie Grimes, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Education.

H1N1 flu began spreading last spring, prompting health departments and hospitals, government agencies and school districts to dust off pandemic emergency plans. During the initial outbreak, several schools closed across the nation as people worried about spreading the virus, which health officials say is less severe than seasonal flu, but more contagious.

Locally, the Virginia Department of Health confirmed H1N1 flu cases in students at Gloucester High School, Bruton and Grafton high schools in York County, Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, Middlesex Elementary in Middlesex County, Phoebus High School in Hampton, and Newport News' Richneck Elementary and Mary Passage Middle schools.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, pregnant women and children and young adults up to age 24 are most at risk for contracting the virus. National and state health officials expect the number of H1N1 flu cases to rise rapidly as students return to classrooms in elementary and secondary schools, and in colleges and universities.

They also worry about an overlap with seasonal flu, which typically starts spreading in late fall and lasts through early spring.

Daria Weber, health services director for Newport News schools, said she and health officials from other school divisions will meet with the Peninsula Department of Health on Wednesday to talk about response plans and possible vaccination programs.

With about 30,000 students heading back to Newport News Public Schools classrooms on Sept. 8, she is concerned about their immunity to a range of infectious diseases, including H1N1 influenza.

"There is no way of knowing if and how such a program would be developed," Weber said. "There is a lot of feeling that if you can immunize the children, you can stop the spread of the virus."

Weber said paperwork is one of the concerns related to mounting such an effort.

Districts will need permission from parents and guardians, and parents may need to be with the district's youngest students during immunization. But the first 120 million doses of the vaccine won't be available until October, and state and local school health officials have no idea how many doses Virginia will receive, or when it will get them.

Another question is cost.

Grimes said Virginia received $8.8 million to help pay for H1N1 flu prevention and control, but officials don't know how much vaccines will cost or who will pay for them if districts are asked to offer school-wide immunization clinics.

"My guess would be if they are set up with the health department, the department would cover part or all of the cost," she said.

Charles Pyle, Virginia Department of Education spokesman, said states also are waiting for the CDC to offer final guidelines for schools.

The U.S. Department of Education plans to release its guidelines today.

Pyle said the state will require schools to report their daily attendance so officials can spot trends related to illness. Both public and private schools will also be required to report closures related to illness.

Tips to prevent H1N1 flu

Health and school officials recommend employees, families and students practice the following strategies to prevent the spread of the flu and other infectious diseases:

--Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or flu-like symptoms.

--Wash your hands often with soap and water or a waterless, alcohol-based cleaner

--Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and throw away used tissues.

--Call your health-care provider if you have questions or concerns.