Local schools have undertaken various measures – some small, some large – to combat the possible spread of the H1N1 virus.
More robust tactics include the Cook County Department of Public Health’s entrance into certain schools in Brookfield-Lyons District 103 to administer H1N1 vaccines to students, whose parent have consented to the inoculations.
Although a date for the vaccinations has not yet been set, students at Lincoln, Costello and Robinson elementary schools, as well as those at George Washington Middle School have this option.
District 103 is receiving this free service in the wake of seven confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus within the school district; three of which were at GWMS, and two more apiece at Lincoln School in Brookfield and Home School in Stickney.
Students at Home School will not be receiving in-school vaccinations; however, the Stickney Public Health District will offer the intranasal vaccination at all three of its clinics, located in Burbank, Chicago and Stickney, according to District 103 Superintendent Michael Warner.
Both the intranasal and injectable vaccines will be offered, and a nurse or some medical representative will be on-hand to recommend the appropriate vaccination, Warner said.
The intranasal vaccine contains a live, but weakened flu virus, while the injectable option is comprised of non-live fragments of the virus.
What’s most important to remember is that the non-live virus is intended for those with pre-existing medical conditions such as an already weakened immune system and/or a chronic illness, while the live virus is currently being administered to healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 24.
Riverside-Brookfield High School has had 12 reported cases of swine flu, some of which have been confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus by the physicians of sick students.
However, District 208 Interim Superintendent David Bonnette expressed uncertainty with regard to the accuracy of the diagnoses.
Bonnette questioned the “protocol” and “diagnostic procedures” employed by the doctors.
“I’m not certain that a doctor in their local office has the capacity to determine that [H1N1 virus],” Bonnette said.
Although RB will not host in-school vaccinations, largely because of the county’s limited supply, Bonnette suggested in a letter to parents that they seek out a vaccination for their children if they feel it is necessary.
“We have been active in communicating with parents through our Web site and e-mail communication to keep them informed as to the status of illness within the district.”
The school also has been proactive in maintaining a level of awareness by stressing the need to keep sick kids home from school.
“If the child is sick we don’t want them to be here. We want them to be fully recovered,” Bonnette said.
Schools elsewhere are also taking similar precautions to combat the possible spread of the H1N1 virus.
Nurses at Lyons Township High School have been monitoring the absentee records rigorously, and placing phones calls to parents if a student has been absent for an unusually long time.
“If the nurses see something that raises a red flag they will call the house to check on the student,” sad Jennifer Bialobok, Lyons Township High School’s community relations coordinator.
Such scrutiny allows the school to keep track of the health conditions of its student population, Bialobok explained.
Geanna Chapp, the nurse at Central Elementary School and Hauser Middle School, both in Riverside, has contacted the county health department to express interest in the vaccine program, but was informed of a scarcity of stock.
“They [Cook County] have so many schools, it’s going to be hard,” Chapp said. “If they [CCDPH] call us, they call us.”
Amy Poore, spokeswoman for Cook County Department of Public Health, said the agency needs to receive enough vaccine before making it available to schools. That’s tough to do, since there’s little advance notice on when supplies arrive.
“The schedule is flexible and fluid in that we do not know when, how and what type of vaccine we will be receiving on a weekly and daily basis,” Poore said.
Central Elementary School has installed hand sanitizers in every room of the school.
“If you did a random check, you’d find one in my office,” said Janis Limperis, Central School’s principal.
Schools and municipalities alike have also launched information campaigns to raise awareness through their Web sites and through newsletters.
Additional information on the H1N1 vaccine can be found at county health department’s Web site, www.cookcountypublichealth.org or on the homepages of local townships.
Because of the limited supply, the vaccine is being administered to prioritized individuals such as pregnant women, persons caring for infants, healthcare personnel, healthy individuals between 6 months and 24 years in age and those between 25 and 64 that have a chronic illness.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic in April, at least 114 U.S. children have died from the H1N1 virus, according to Center for Disease Control records.
