H1N1InformationFor more information, contact:
Jody Margheim, communications specialist, (970) 490-3543, jmarghei@psdschools.org
1. We Need Your Help to Control the Spread of H1N1 (Swine) Flu
Because flu can be easily spread from person to person, Poudre School District is taking steps to reduce the spread of flu in schools. We want to keep schools open and functioning in a normal manner during flu season. We need your help to do this.
Prevention is the best strategy, and here’s how you can help:
· Teach children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
· Teach children to cover coughs/sneezes and not share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Students should cover their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
· Clean surfaces and objects that your child touches frequently with appropriate cleaning agents.
· Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
· Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are sick while at school will be sent home.
· Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people infected.
· Get your family vaccinated for seasonal flu and H1N1 flu when vaccines are available. According the Center for Disease Control (CDC), a vaccine specific to H1N1 may not be available until mid-October. They are recommending the vaccine be made available to individuals in priority groups, including school-aged children.
We are working closely with the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and other city, county and state agencies to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools. Please make sure you are on the PSD Parent E-mail Alert list, so we can provide you with new information as it becomes available (sign up at: www.psdschools.org by clicking on the E-Mail Alert Sign Up star). This also assures you receive email updates from your child’s school.
Helpful websites and phone numbers:
H1N1 Flu Information and Resources: www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
Steps if Children are Sick or School is Dismissed: www.flu.gov/plan/school/parentfactsheet.html
Steps to Protect Your Family from Flu: www.flu.gov/plan/school/parentfactsheet2.html
Steps for Children at High Risk for Flu Complications: www.flu.gov/plan/school/parentfactsheet3.html
Q&A from the Center for Disease Control (CDC): www.flu.gov/plan/school/questions.html
Larimer County Department of Health and Environment: www.co.larimer.co.us/health or call 498-6700
2. Health department offers immunization clinics
The health department’s three immunization clinics are ready for to provide required immunizations for children. Larimer County Health Department’s immunization clinics offer low-cost immunizations under the Federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. Through the program, families without health insurance, who are low-income or otherwise can’t afford full-priced immunizations can have their children under 19 years old vaccinated for $14.50 per shot. However, no one will be turned away for inability to pay.
Larimer County offers child, adult and travel immunizations at its three locations: Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park. Walk-in hours for Fort Collins and Loveland are listed below. No appointments are necessary, except for travel immunizations.
Loveland Clinic, 205 E 6th Street, 679-4580
Mondays 12:30 - 3:30 pm; Fridays 9 am - 12 noon; and 2nd Wednesday of each month 3-6 pm. Travel immunizations: Mondays only, call for appointment.
Fort Collins Clinic, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, 498-6700
Third Saturday of August, September, October and November, 9 am -12 noon; Mondays 9 am -12 noon and 1 - 3:30 pm; Tuesdays 3 – 6pm; and Fridays 9 am - 12 noon. Travel immunizations: Monday mornings and Friday afternoons: call for appointment.
For more information on childhood immunizations, adult immunizations, travel immunizations or Larimer County Health Department clinic hours, call 498-6700 or visit http://www.larimer.org/health/chs/immunizations.asp
https://www.psdschools.org/psdinfo/newsevents/index.aspx?newseventid=999103&affid=
| 
