JEFFERSON — Flu clinics inside county school buildings took another step closer to reality after a “productive” meeting Thursday between school administrators and health officials, said Ray Saporito, Ashtabula County health commissioner.
“We had a real good, productive discussion on the issues and logistics of clinics,” Saporito said. “There was a lot of good dialog.”
Officials could begin laying out the framework for a series of H1N1 clinics at another meeting scheduled for Sept. 17.
“We encouraged the superintendents to huddle with their school board and evaluate the materials we gave out,” Saporito said. “We’re looking for their direction (on potential clinics).”
Local health departments are joining a national push to fend off H1N1, the so-called swine flu. A vaccine is being developed, but isn’t expected to be ready for use until October at the earliest.
Officials are looking at schools to host clinics because young children are in the at-risk group.
School leaders can provide invaluable information on the proposed clinics, Saporito said.
“They know their schools and children, the conflicts as well as the needs,” he said. “We will defer to their judgment and expertise.”
Saporito said he felt the school districts seem receptive to the idea of clinics in their buildings.
“I think (the superintendents) want to work with us,” he said. “They want answers.”
There are some options regarding school-based clinics, said Chris Kettunen, the county’s director of nursing. “They could be held at night, or Saturdays, when parents could be there (with their children),” she said.
It is not immediately known if the school clinics would also accommodate adults. Any H1N1 clinics that are held would be in addition to the usual seasonal flu clinics, officials have said. The county’s health department kicks off their 2009 seasonal flu clinics at the end of the month.
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