Bloomberg announces flu protection plans
 |
Today, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled a multi-faceted plan to combat swine flu this fall. With the first day of school in sight, protecting the city’s students is a top priority, Bloomberg said.
Swine flu resurfaced in parents’ minds this summer when the city announced schools will remain open this year in the face of reported cases. Here’s what you should know about the mayor’s new campaign as your kids head back to school:
- Vaccinations for elementary school students will be available at your child’s school in mid-October. Letters will be sent home on the first day of classes with more information.
- Vaccinations for older students will be available at soon-to-be-announced sites in each borough.
- The city will post daily listings of schools reporting more than five cases of flu online.
- A flu-prevention campaign will be launched in schools, complete with signs, posters, and classroom instruction.
“Today is the first of what will be many efforts to keep New Yorkers informed about what we are doing to prepare for the return of the H1N1 and seasonal flu,” said Mayor Bloomberg in a press release. “We can’t predict this year’s flu season, but we can make sure that City government is fully prepared for whatever happens.”
What do you think about the city’s school-based flu-prevention plan? Will you have your child vaccinated at school?
Subscribe to 
is that even safe for toddlers and kindergartners to take??
Comment by alicia — September 1, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
My child is not school aged. However, I really don’t want her to have this vaccine. It’s way too new and I feel like the FDA rushed it to market. I understand why, but it makes me nervous (And I am not anti-vaccination in the least- my child has all hers and gets a regular flu shot annually.)
An acquaintance lost a cousin recently to swine flu- no health problems, not even 30 years old. I think this thing is worse than the media is letting on because they don’t want widespread panic. And I don’t believe that the mayor has the best interests of kids or teachers at heart- I bet one of his buddies has close ties to the company that makes the vaccine.
Comment by Tracy — September 1, 2009 @ 9:43 pm
I thought I had heard that swine flu required two shots several weeks apart for full protection. Are they going to give both shots at school? I don’t think I will have my children vaccinated in October. I think the shot is too new and the side effects too unknown to be one of the first to get it. I want to wait and make sure there are no side effects reported in children first.
Comment by queensparent — September 2, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
I’m also concerned about the newness of the vaccine. Not to mention that last year was the first time my daughter got any flu vaccine–and she didn’t react well to it–and it was also the first time she got the flu. Quite badly, with some minor complications. I’m really unsure about this rushed vaccine.
Comment by Jennifer M — September 3, 2009 @ 10:07 am
This is a big choice for me to make. I am truly scared to let my child get this vaccination. Not only that, my daughter needs to be in the after school tutoring program for her math. I am not letting her stay for an extra 2 hours, just because of the Swin-flu. I told her we would just practice more at home. If they are rushing to give the vaccination, it is an epedemic, only my opionion.
Comment by Sherryl — September 8, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
I will not have my child vaccinated until more research and testing has been done on the vaccination. They are going to make the kids guinea pics to their new drug, and I will not allow my son to be subjected to that.
Comment by Tina R — September 8, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
I agree with the above posters. This vaccine is too new and I don’t want my child to be a guinea pig. I hope they do not try to make the vaccine mandatory for school children.
Comment by Helen — September 8, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
I’m not going to allow them to give the vaccine to my children. I agree with the others that they are making the kids guinea pigs. I would prefer them to get the actual swine flu and get it over with.
Comment by Brooklyn mom — September 8, 2009 @ 6:00 pm