Definitions
What is the difference between seasonal and pandemic influenza? What is that difference between Avian and Swine Flu?
• Seasonal influenza
• Pandemic influenza
• Avian influenza (A1)
• Novel H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu)
Guidance for Schools
School Dismissal Monitoring System
From the CDC and the Department of Education
Report school dismissals - click here
2009 H1N1 Influenza School-Located Vaccination (SLV): Information for Planners
NASN participated in the development or this newly released document from CDC.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/slv/
Preparing for the Flu - Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12). Click here.
H1N1 policy guidance for K-12 schools, teachers, administrators, and parents (CDC). Click here.
School-Located Influenza Immunization School Kit
From the National Association of County & City Health Officials.
http://www.naccho.org/toolbox/tool.cfm?id=1680
Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Institutions of Higher Education
http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/higheredtoolkit.html
The Department of Education has confirmed that FERPA privacy regulations are not to interfere in communications with public health officials per Virginia Tech emergency guidelines: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/brochures/elsec.pdf
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Media and Interviews
H1N1 Media Talking Points (from NASN) - Click here
CDC H1N1 vaccine recommendations press release: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090729b.htm
All You Have to Do is Wash Your Hands - handwashing podcast: http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11072
Talking To Kids About H1N1 (Swine) Flu for parents from NASN Radio - Click here to listen
Mary Pappas the St. Francis Preparatory Academy school nurse who identified the first cases in the current swine flu outbreak in Queens, NY was interviewed by the New York Times. Seeing Signs of Outbreak, School Nurse Set Response in Motion (April 28, 2009): http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/nyregion/27response.html?hp
Mary Pappas, and Amy Garcia, the Executive Director of NASN were interviewed on NPR. Both emphasized that surveillance for infectious diseases is something all school nurses do (April 28, 2009): http://www.hereandnow.org
Mary Pappas was interviewed again by the New York Times. School Nurse's Response to Flu Wins Applause (April 29, 2009): http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/nyregion/29nurse.html?ref=nyregion
NPR interviewed Martha Bergren, NASN Director of Research about privacy and the ability to share student information with public health officials during this public health event (April 29, 2009). http://www.hereandnow.org/
Back to the top Sample Pandemic Plans for Schools
Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist for daycare through college
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/school/index.html
Pandemic Flu School Action Kit
Contra Costa Health Services
http://www.cchealth.org/topics/pandemic_flu/school_action_kit/
Pandemic action plan
Broward County Public Schools
http://www.nassauschoolemergency.org/safety_plans/
Pandemic Flu School Preparedness
Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department
http://www.tpchd.org/page.php?id=288
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National and State Resources
Know What to do About the Flu
Web cast series from the Department of Health and Human Services. The Web cast on 12/16/09 focused on what health care providers need to know.
http://www.flu.gov/news/knowwhattodo.html
Flu Vaccine Locator
Find out where H1N1 vaccine is available near you. Enter your zip code in the Flu Vaccine Locator.
http://www.flu.gov
CDC Update - November 12, 2009
CDC now estimates that between about 2,500 and 6,000 2009 H1N1-related deaths occurred during the six month period of April through October 17, 2009. The deaths for children under 18 are estimated to be 540. This is in contrast to the previously reported 129 pediatric H1N1deaths confirmed by laboratory findings. While these numbers are an estimate, CDC feels that they present a fuller picture of the burden of 2009 H1N1 disease on the United States.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/estimates_2009_h1n1.htm
Additional information for students and staff with diabetes.
From the Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/news/docs/swine_flu.htm
Weekly U.S. Map: Influenza Summary and Update
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
H1N1 policy guidance for K-12 schools, teachers, administrators, and parents (CDC)
http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolguidance.html
One-stop access to U.S. Government swine, avian and pandemic flu information
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
2009 H1N1 Flu
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
Pandemic Preparedness
From the World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/index.html
Emergency Planning: Influenza Outbreak
From the U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/more.html
SAT test center closings
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/testday/center_closings_alert.html
Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to the 2009-2010 Influenza Season
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with input from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
http://www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/guidance.html
Emergency Planning: Influenza Outbreak
From the U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/more.html
Pandemic Influenza Tabletop Exercise: K-12 School Closure as a Disease Containment Measure
From the Minnesota Department of Health
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/pandemic/scexercise/index.html
Pandemic Influenza: A Guide to Recent Institute of Medicine IOM Studies and Workshops
http://bit.ly/Zn2lD
"Children and Disasters"
From the American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/disasters/index.cfm
Back to the top Tools for the School Nurse
New Anatomy of a Pandemic
A very informative PBS NewsHour special, Anatomy of a Pandemic, aired 12/14/09. It included interviews with Dr. Anthony Fauci from NIH, Dr. Anne Schuchat from the CDC, and others.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/pandemic/
Frequently Asked Questions about the Safety of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine from the CDC, click here.
For CDC's 2009 Influenza Vaccine Record, click here
Protect your school and yourself from influenza: Get Vaccinated!
CDC recommends seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccination for all healthcare workers, including school nurses, because of increased risk of exposure to those with influenza, as well as the transmission of the viruses to susceptible others. Despite documented benefits, seasonal influenza vaccine coverage in past seasons among this group has remained low (<50%) nation-wide. Influenza outbreaks in hospitals and long-term care facilities have been associated with low vaccination rates among healthcare workers, while higher vaccination levels are associated with a lower incidence of nosocomial influenza cases - information transferrable to school nurses working in the school setting. The most effective way to protect yourself and your schools from flu is to be vaccinated. It’s up to you!
Risk of Serious Illness Among Healthcare Personnel Associated with 2009 H1N1 Influenza
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is working with its partners to gather information about deaths and serious illness among healthcare personnel associated with 2009 H1N1 influenza. Reports in the news media have associated at least four nurse deaths with H1N1 influenza. Understanding of the prevalence of serious H1N1 illness and fatalities among nurses is limited due to a lack of occupational data in existing surveillance systems. NIOSH is seeking any information regarding cases of serious 2009 H1N1 illness, hospitalization, or fatality among healthcare personnel, including school nurses (nioshh1n1data@cdc.gov).
For more information, visit http://origin.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/H1N1flu/healthcare-risk.html
Frequently Asked Questions by Students, Families and School Personnel
Healthcare Providers and Facilities - Decision Tree for 2009 H1N1 Vaccination
The purpose of this document is to provide a decision tool for providers and healthcare facilities and would be a tool for those schools considering school-located vaccination.
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/decisiontree.htm
Championing School-Located Influenza Immunization
3.0 CNE Contact Hours-Free to NASN Members
This supplement to the Journal of School Nursing includes an overview of influenza and articles on the role of school nurses and public health departments in school-located influenza immunization.
Supplement: http://www.nasn.org/portals/0/education/championing_school_located_influenza_immunization.pdf
Redeem CNE contact hours: http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=111
Supported by an educational grant from MedImmune.
Additional information for students and staff with diabetes.
From the Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/news/docs/swine_flu.htm
School-Located Influenza Immunization School Kit
From the National Association of County & City Health Officials.
http://www.naccho.org/toolbox/tool.cfm?id=1680
Preparing for the Flu - Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12)
http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolflutoolkit.pdf
Don’t Get Sidelined By the Flu
From NASN. Intended for middle and high school.
http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=316
It’s A SNAP
From School Network for Absenteeism Prevention. Intended for elementary and middle school. Many resources, facts, and links. Partnered with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Soap and Detergent Association.
http://www.itsasnap.org/index.asp
Henry the Hand
From Henry the Hand Foundation. Intended for elementary. Information, classroom activities, downloadable songs and video. Some activity sheets and posters in international languages.
http://www.henrythehand.com
Scrub Club
From NSF International. Intended for elementary. Webisodes, downloadable materials, and classroom acitivities.
http://www.scrubclub.org
Scrubby Bear
From Buffalo and Orange County Chapters of American Red Cross and Think Bright. Activities, lesson plans and resources.
http://www.thinkbright.org/Families/viewResource.asp?contentid=4199
Why Don't We Do It in our Sleeve?
From Maine Medical Association: Cough hygiene intended for middle school through adult.
http://www.coughsafe.com
Put Your Hands Together - video on handwashing
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/HandsTogether/index.html
Back to the top Resources for Parents
Talking to Children About the Flu (Novel H1N1): A Parent Resource
NASN has partnered with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) to develop and disseminate this handout for parents.
Click here to download the English handout.
Click here to download the Spanish handout.
Click here to listen to the English podcast.
Click here to listen to the Spanish podcast.
Talking to Children About Novel H1N1 Flu (Formerly Swine Flu) Concerns
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/talkingtokids.htm
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports
Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009
Specific vaccines against the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus are being manufactured, and licensed vaccine is expected to be available in the United States by mid-October 2009.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr58e0821a1.htm
Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections in a School: New York City, April 2009
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58d0430a1.htm?s_cid=mm58d0430a1_e
NASN Publications
Journal of School Nursing February 2009 supplemental issue highlighted school located vaccine clinics. To access this supplement, visit: http://jsn.sagepub.com/content/vol25/1_suppl/ - Li, C. & Freedman , M. (2009). Seasonal influenza: An overview. Journal of School Nursing, 25, 4S-12S.
- Ransom, J. (2009). School-located influenza vaccination clinics: Local health department perspectives. Journal of School Nursing, 25,13S-17S.
- Li, C., Freedman, M. & Boyer-Chu , L. (2009). Championing school-located influenza immunization: The school nurse’s role. Journal of School Nursing, 25,18S-28S.
- Borja, M. Amidon, C. Spellings, D. Franzetti, S. & Nasuta , M. (2009). School-located influenza vaccination clinics: School nurse perspectives. Journal of School Nursing, 25,29S-36S.
To access the following manual, visit NASN's bookstore online at: http://www.nasn.org/store/detail.aspx?ID=27
• Doyle, Janice, & Loyacono, Thomas. (2007). Disaster preparedness guidelines for school nurses. 2nd edition. NASN Corporate Office, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 420, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
To access the following articles referenced below, visit our publisher's archive portal at: http://jsn.sagepub.com/:
• Morton, Jennifer L., & Schultz, Alyce A. (2004). Healthy hands: use of alcohol gel as an adjunct to handwashing in elementary school children. Journal of School Nursing, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 161–167.
• White, Catherine G., Shinder, Fay S., Shinder, Arnold L., & Dyer, David L. (2001). Reduction of illness absenteeism in elementary schools using an alcohol-free instant hand sanitizer. Journal of School Nursing, Vol. 17, No. 5, pp. 258–265.
To access the following article referenced below, visit our publisher's archive portal at: http://nas.sagepub.com/:
• Hummingbird, Linda. (2007). Private and parochial school nurses preparing for pandemic. NASN Newsletter, Vol. 22, No. 1, p.5. Back to the top |