Woodburn Independent Online

WSD taking H1N1 virus precautions

• By: Jason Horton  
• Published: 9/5/2009 1:04:14 AM

WOODBURN — As the summer begins to fade, flu season begins to creep up on the horizon. This year, state and county health officials are warning school districts about the H1N1 (swine flu) virus and how to make schools safe for students.

There is no H1N1 vaccination yet, but health officials believe there will be one by mid-October.
The Woodburn School District (WSD) has formed a Flu Season Task Force, which will be the team responsible for providing information to district students and parents.

WSD Superintendent Walt Blomberg. said representatives of the district have attended the Marion County and statewide forums on the handling the H1N1 virus and are in the process of getting lined up for vaccinations for students. Like last year, the district is already scheduled to administer the seasonal flu mist, which is given to students free of charge.

When it arrives, the H1N1 vaccine will also be free, administered by Marion County health officials visiting the schools.

“The immunization process is going to be different than in years past,” said Steve Williams, WSD executive director of human resources and support services.

“We still have the seasonal flu mist vaccinations, but we don’t know exactly when they will have (the H1N1 vaccination) and it will be controlled by the county health department,” Williams said. “The trick is to let people know there are two vaccines and there are different vaccinations for each flu.”

While the vaccinations are not mandatory, Williams said he hopes parents will get their children the preventive medicine they need.

“We can’t make it mandatory unless there was some national mandate,” he said. “But it will be recommended, for sure. The key is communication and education (for parents). It’s really going to be tricky with dealing with the two types of virus. I’m concerned there might be some confusion, but I’m hoping people will listen and we’re doing our best to get the information out.”

Blomberg said the key will be for parents to watch for signs of sickness at home.

“Parents need to keep their kids home if they have a fever,” he said. “We’ll have lots of hand sanitizer and will have them washing their hands, but if they come to school sick, there’s not a lot we can do to control that, other than sending them home.”

The priorities for the new vaccine, according to health officials, will be pregnant women, health workers and children 6 months to 24 years, which is the most dangerous age range for the H1N1 virus.
Oregon public health officials said two shots of the H1N1 vaccine may have to be administered a few weeks apart.

The WSD task force attended an Aug. 21 meeting where the virus was discussed. Members were told that immunization will be the No. 1 battle against the virus. Other than that, Williams said, they will try and control the symptoms.

“We need people to stay home if they are sick, first,” he said.

“We will be keeping things clean and there are some maintenance aspects, but that’s minimal. Communication, education and vaccination are the keys.”

  (log in to rate)