Back To School Swine Flu Concerns

On top of the swine flu threat, the regular flu season is right around the corner, so health officials say we may see more sick students compared to when the swine flu first hit.

Parents are encouraged to have a plan in place, in case their child needs to stay home from school.
"These recommendations are based on an expectation that the severity of the illness will be in the fall like we observed in the spring and summer,"Said Dr. Donald Williamson with the Alabama State Health Department.

State health officials plan to set up immunization clinics to make things more convenient.
"Hopefully we'll have 100 percent of the schools that would hold school vaccination clinics within the schools once the vaccine becomes available,"Said Joe Morton, Alabama Superintendent of Education. The Mobile County School System says they are ready and willing to initiate clinics if the state recommends it.

While swine flu vaccinations are voluntary, they are recommended for people between the ages of 6 months to 24 years old. The Mobile County School System says students and staff will not be able to return to school until they have gone at least 24 hours without a fever or medication.

The state health department is expecting the H1N1 vaccine in October.