School vaccinations could expand as byproduct of swine flu pandemic

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So their "H1N1 pandemic" flop was actually a dry run?=========Companion piece:http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1719069220091217Flu pandemic may change US flu approach foreverThu, Dec 17 2009* School-based vaccinations a model for the future* 100 million flu vaccine doses ready* Better vaccine capacity neededBy Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor==========http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/25/school-vaccinations-could-expand-byproduct-swine-f/School vaccinations could expand as byproduct of swine flu pandemicBy MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa TribuneTop public health officials see this year's swine flu vaccination efforts as an opportunity to consider large-scale immunization campaigns at the nation's schools. Local and state health departments were charged with administering the estimated 259 million doses the federal government bought to fight the H1N1 influenza virus. A total of 34 states, including Florida, incorporated public and private schools into their campaigns. "I hope that the work that we've done (this fall) will result in a much stronger infrastructure to implement things like seasonal influenza vaccinations in the schools," said Centers for Disease Control Director Tom Frieden. Some local public health officials, however, worry about the practicality and the politics behind such an endeavor. Nearly 50,000 of the 314,000 doses distributed in Hillsborough County went to large-scale vaccination campaigns at local schools. About 23 percent of the students who were offered the voluntary vaccination participated. So far, the effort has cost nearly $500,000, most of which went to cover the staff needed to process and administer the vaccines, said Ryan Pedigo, Hillsborough County's director of public health preparedness. "There's a lot of expense associated with this," he said of the ongoing vaccination program. Because swine flu is a global pandemic, the federal government is paying for the vaccine and other local and state health department needs, such as refrigeration, supplies and storage facilities. In Hillsborough, that included creating a new warehouse, and hiring health care and administrative workers to handle orders from almost 4,500 different doctors and facilities. Pedigo said the vaccination program in Hillsborough schools is going well, but there have been disagreements, such as deciding when to hold clinics in elementary schools. The health department had wanted to do all vaccinations during school hours, but educators were reluctant to do so for younger, more emotional children. The voluntary vaccination program took place during school hours at Hillsborough's middle and senior high schools. Elementary school clinics have been held in the evening. So far, there have been no discussions with Hillsborough County Schools about expanding in-school vaccinations beyond this year's H1N1 program. School district offices were closed this week and officials were not available for comment. Both Frieden and CDC Immunization Director Anne Schuchat said they are impressed with some of the different school vaccination efforts, partly because they are trying to get more children vaccinated for the seasonal flu. In 2009, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended for the first time seasonal flu vaccines for all children ages 5 to 18. Previously, the group had recommended only chronically ill children in that age group get an annual flu shot. The logistics of reaching what's estimated to be an additional 30 million more people is daunting, and the current health care system is not equipped to handle it, Schuchat said. "Children in that age group don't have as many doctor's visits as those in the earlier years of life. Pediatric and family practice offices already are really crowded," she said. "We're going to need some other approach to reach these kids. Maybe it's in the school-associated clinics. Maybe it's malls or retail clinics. Maybe it's through community-based approaches." Coincidentally, Hillsborough County had been planning to test-drive the concept of school-based seasonal flu shots, said Margaret Ewen, the county's public health immunization director. A federal stimulus grant paid to have the county health department administer up to 30,000 seasonal flu vaccines in Hillsborough elementary schools this past fall. However, the more urgent H1N1 campaign overshadowed it. A similar grant in Pinellas County also was shelved. Ewen altered her plans and offered the seasonal flu shots at some of the H1N1 vaccination clinics instead. But she estimates that fewer than half of the seasonal flu shots have been taken, as many who wanted to take part got the seasonal vaccine from their child's pediatrician. Now, she doesn't have the staff or time to re-launch the program, despite having the grant money to do so. Besides, she's not sure how many of the 100,000 public school students would have taken part in this pilot program. =====In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.