HEALTH ALERT: Seasonal Flu Vaccination Clinics Delay; Additional H1N1 Planning Resources

HEALTH ISSUE ALERT

TO: Superintendents, Heads of Private Schools, School Nurses
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner, and Dora Anne Mills, MD, MPH, Director, Maine CDC
DATE: September 22, 2009
RE: HEALTH ISSUE ALERT: Seasonal Flu Vaccination Clinics Delay; Additional H1N1 Planning Resources

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Delayed

Most school-based seasonal flu vaccination clinics that have not yet received their vaccine supplies will likely have to delay their scheduled clinic dates to mid/late October or November due to a delay in the shipment of seasonal flu vaccine.

We have just learned from both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) and the seasonal flu vaccine manufacturers that the scheduled delivery for the remaining doses of seasonal flu vaccine will not be as accelerated as originally anticipated, due to prioritization of H1N1 vaccine and other challenges. This delay is being felt across the country, and other states are in the process of postponing large-scale seasonal flu vaccine clinics.

By late October, we anticipate both vaccine supplies (seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine) will be sufficient to mount large clinic efforts. Schools that face this delay should consider offering both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine at the same time since the H1N1 vaccine is expected to be ready for delivery at about the same time.

We have received about 20% of our pediatric seasonal flu vaccine supply for schools to date (and 40% of our overall supply). Remaining doses are expected to become available over the next 4-6 weeks with the majority of doses still expected by the end of October and all doses delivered by early November.

Maine CDC will work with schools to reschedule clinics to the already-designated back-up dates. More details, including information on school based vaccine clinics, can be found at: www.maineflu.gov .

H1N1 Quick Reference Guide for Schools

You have received considerable information in recent weeks and months about the H1N1 threat – information that has evolved as more is learned about the virus and how best to act to protect our schools and our students, as well as the community. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) and the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) have compiled some of the key information and resources for schools into one location. This H1N1 quick reference guide includes information on:

Accessing the most relevant Maine CDC resources
Prevention
Hygiene and respiratory etiquette
Routine cleaning
Treatment of high-risk students and staff
Selective school dismissal
How school personnel can stay informed

View the H1N1 Quick Reference Guide for Schools from the Maine CDC:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/h1n1/educators.shtml

Call for assistance on school located vaccine clinics

Please do not hesitate to call the Maine CDC school-based vaccination hotline at 888-257-0990 with your questions, or contact Nancy Dube, the Maine DOE school nurse consultant, at 207-624-6688 or Nancy.Dube@maine.gov .

Report elevated absenteeism or school closure due to illness

Contact Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821 or disease.reporting@maine.gov if a sudden increase in absenteeism from influenza-like illness is noted among students and/or staff. Infectious disease epidemiologists will respond and provide guidance on disease monitoring and control. Schools are also asked to report when they are considering closing due to illness.

NOTE: This Health Alert Issue is being archived as Informational Letter #27 and can be found on the Informational Letters web page: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/ilethome.shtml