Schools Planning Vaccination Clinics

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Several school districts are preparing to run H1N1 vaccination clinics, shortly after the vaccines arrive.

Officials with 12 school districts, along with the Catholic diocese met at the Franklin County Health Department on Friday to plan for the clinics, depending upon when and how many vaccines will be available in Franklin County.

"Our goal as the vaccine starts to roll out is to reach some very high risk people in our community who may have complications and greater deaths from H1N1 and there are many people in those groups and one of those are very young children, school-age children," said Susan Tilgner, Franklin County Health Commissioner.

Tilgner said there is a coordinator for each school district working to identify possible clinic sites and when they should take place.

The Groveport Madison School District is diligently distributing hand sanitizer to students and has experience with isolation rooms in each building.

"I think if we can get them early, we're going to keep kids in school. If kids are in school, they have more of an opportunity to learn. We've got to realize the primary mission is to educate kids. You can't educate them if they're home sick," said Larry Ricchi, of Groveport-Madison Local Schools.

About ten days ago, 70 Groveport Madison middle school students were absent from school due to the flu. Usually, there are only 21 absent at this time of year.

The health department said districts plan to keep in touch with parents and guardians to let them know when and where the clinics will take place.

In the meantime, officials are referring parents to ColumbusPandemicFlu.com for prevention information, and urging them to keep sick children home from school.

"I know it's a hard thing to do, but it will be even harder if the school closes and you have to keep your child home" Tilgner said.

At Dunloe Elementary School, cleanliness is a priority every day.

"Upon arrival at this building, Dunloe Elementary School, our children come to a classroom that's been thoroughly cleaned the night before by the cleaning crew that works into the late hours of the evening," said Jane Curry, Dunloe Elementary School principal.

The crews also work during the day, cleaning the computer lab at least once a day.

Each doorknob in the building is cleaned, along with the side of each door.

When the kids line up for lunch, they each receive some hand sanitizer.

"I have been told by my school nurse that this building has a good track record with health issues," Curry said.

Curry said it's because teachers and staff work together to keep all surfaces sanitary.

The school began the practices four years ago when students had recess before lunch and they wanted to make sure their hands were clean.

Curry also said they teach children the proper way to cover a cough.

"We ask them to do an elbow cover and so it's put the arm up and cough into the elbow -- and it helps. It works. Then germs aren't on the hands and hopefully the germs won't spread through the room," Curry said.

Below is the list of school districts represented at the meeting Friday:

• Upper Arlington City Schools
• 
  Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools
• 
  Groveport Madison Local Schools
• 
  Canal Winchester Local Schools
• 
  Westerville City Schools
• 
  Hilliard City Schools
• 
  Reynoldsburg City Schools
• 
  Hamilton Local Schools
• 
  Dublin City Schools
• 
  New Albany Plain Local Schools
• 
  Bexley City Schools
• 
  Whitehall City Schools
• 
  Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus

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