Obama Administration Says Children and Schools are a Priority in H1N1 Influenza Outbreak Preparedness
July 10, 2009
Obama Administration Says Children and Schools are a Priority in H1N1 Influenza Outbreak Preparedness

At the H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit at the National Institutes of Health on July 9, 2009, the Obama Administration urged the Nation to begin preparing for the fall flu season and the ongoing H1N1 flu outbreak.  The outbreak preparedness efforts include the production of a vaccine that will be ready by mid-October.  Children will be first in line to receive the vaccine, and may be vaccinated at school in a mass campaign, which has not occurred since the late 1950s polio outbreaks.  It will still be critical for schools to plan non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce the spread of the virus -- promoting good hand hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in schools, and advising parents to develop contingency plans should their children become sick and need to stay home or in the event their school is forced to close. School districts are also advised to work closely with state and/or local health departments to stay informed on further developments.

See also:

Obama Administration Calls on Nation to begin planning and preparing for Fall Flu Season & the new HIN1 Virus

Flu.gov: Know What to Do About the Flu

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: H1N1 (Swine Flu)