Utah districts gear up to fight swine flu

School district leaders are working to battle the H1N1 flu, from considering offering the vaccine in schools to supplying hand sanitizer and removing cloth towel hand dryers from restrooms.

Utah districts are working with their area health departments to see if the vaccine — either the nasal mist or the shot — can be offered at schools. This would be more convenient than children going to the health department or a doctor to receive the vaccine, officials say.

"We just want to make it as easy as possible," said Pam Davenport, spokeswoman for Salt Lake Valley Health Department, adding that the vaccine would be free of charge.

Health departments are waiting for more supplies of the vaccine. It could arrive in as little as two weeks, or it may not come until the end of December.

Granite and Jordan school districts have been actively communicating with Salt Lake Valley Health Department officials about potential plans to bring the vaccine to schools. "It's a positive thing in terms of prevention," said Granite District superintendent Stephen Ronnenkamp.

Logistics are being considered, including how to handle parent permission slips; whether to offer the vaccine before, during or after school; and whether parents should be present.

Salt Lake, Canyons and Murray school districts are keeping tabs on the opportunity and waiting to see if the vaccine will be available.

"I think it's a great idea if it's possible," said Salt Lake District board member Douglas Nelson, medical director of the emergency department of Primary Children's Medical Center.

"It's a lot more convenient to drive the health department truck to the school for a few hundred kids than for a few hundred families to drive to the health department," said Nelson, who is also a member of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Utah.

Alpine, Nebo and Provo districts are working with the Utah County Health Department to possibly offer the vaccine to families at designated high schools, likely in the afternoon or evening.

Davis School District, in conjunction with the Davis County Health Department, is considering offering the vaccine school-by-school.

State Board of Education member Leslie Castle of Salt Lake City said she believes districts should consider bringing the vaccine to students, with parental permission. "I do believe it's something they absolutely should be looking at," she said.