Agencies, schools prepare for H1N1
As autumn approaches, school leaders ponder precautions
against swine flu

By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
LarryM@argusobserver.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 10:39 AM PDT

As the anticipated swine flu virus reemerges this fall, experts and officials have weighed in on the potential impact locally and across the nation. So far, the swine flu virus does not appear to be the kind of mass killer the 1918 influenza virus evolved into. That influenza virus, which also sparked a pandemic, killed millions across the globe.

ONTARIO — Schools across the nation plan to conduct flu-shot clinics this fall to prevent or control the expected return of H1N1 influenza, or swine flu, but local health departments and area school officials so far are taking a wait-and-see attitude about what vaccine will be available — and when — and what health experts recommend before deciding on a firm policy.

What is known is that if a person gets a flu shot, at least two will be needed, one for the seasonal flu and one for the swine flu.  Presently, the CDC recommends that pregnant women, all people six months to 24 years of age, caregivers of children under 6 months and emergency medical services personnel receive the vaccines.

“All emergency personnel have priority because they have the greatest chance of coming in contact (with people who are infected,” Richard Adams, emergency medical technician and volunteer with Treasure Valley Paramedics in Nyssa, said.

Officials at Southwest District Health said they are not aware of any schools in southwest Idaho planning shot clinics, Laurie Boston, SDH public information officer, said.

“We’re waiting for more information,” Boston said.

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 Local officials are waiting for more direction from the Centers for Disease Control so they can give schools more direction.

“They are still in the beginning stages of their planning,” Boston said.

Seasonal flu vaccine is expected to be available by the end of August, Boston said, and, according to its Web site, CDC officials are hoping people will start with those shots as soon as possible.

Swine flu vaccines are now being tested and may be available as early as this fall.

“They are targeting the middle of October,” Boston said.

Boston said a certain degree of uncertainty lingers regarding the vaccine schedule.

“One message we know for sure — there are a lot of questions,” Boston said.

Ontario School District officials are not planning anything but are taking their cues from the Malheur County Health Department, Sidni Mordhorst, district public relations officer, said. There has been one meeting between school and health department officials, she said, and the district would participate if a special clinic is recommended.

“We don’t have anyone scheduled to come in and give shots,” Nyssa School Superintendent Don Grotting said. In the past, the district has worked with a local clinic in giving shots, he said.

The CDC is targeting young people — school age and young adults — who are often  in close contact with others and because there have been many cases of swine flu among young adults, unlike seasonal flus, which tend to hit elderly people and the very young the hardest.