Schools

The City encourages all parents to have their children vaccinated by the child’s doctor, but is also working with schools to offer the H1N1 vaccine at no cost to parents at elementary schools starting in late October/early November. And starting in November, the City will run free public H1N1 vaccination clinics on weekends in each borough for middle and high school students.

School-based H1N1 Vaccination
Consent Forms

The City is monitoring public schools for sudden increases in influenza-like illness (ILI). If a school nurse reports ILI in 4% (minimum of 15 students) of the school’s students on a given day, the Health Department will work with the school to strengthen flu prevention with vaccination, more hand washing, and keeping sick kids at home. If a school has a high number of students with health problems, the Health Department may recommend stronger measures, such as taking temperatures and cancelling activities that involve close contact. This approach follows national guidelines, which recognize the costs of closing schools and focus on keeping schools open and safe.

Every public school has received influenza-prevention materials including signs, posters and classroom instruction on covering coughs and washing hands. Restrooms will be continuously stocked with soap and paper towels, and parents will get written reminders to keep their children home when they’re sick. If a school nurse sees 5 or more cases of influenza-like illness in one day, the school will send a second letter to parents stressing the need to keep sick children home.

How parents can prepare their children for the fall influenza season

• 
  Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza. All children
  aged 6 months to 18 years should get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Some children under age 9 may need 2 doses, 4 weeks apart, for full protection. Ask your doctor what is right for your child.

• When it becomes available, children aged 6 months to 18 years should get the H1N1 vaccine in addition to the seasonal influenza vaccine. A new H1N1 vaccine has been developed and will be available this fall.

• The Health Department urges parents to arrange for child care in advance on the chance their children get sick and need to be home for several consecutive days.

• Teach your children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is ideal (roughly the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice).
       * See our Wash Your Hands Poster for Kids (PDF)

• Teach your children to keep their hands away from their faces and to avoid touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.

• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the inside of an elbow. Cough or sneeze into sleeves—not hands!
       * See our Cover Your Cough Poster (Available in 14 languages)

   * See our other posters and brochures for kids and adults.