The county hopes to give shots to 88,000 kids

MAUMEE -- Schools in Lucas County are preparing for the H1N1 or the Swine Flu.

For the first time in decades, the Lucas County Health Department is asking administrators to open up their schools to serve as vaccination clinics for students.

"We're enrolling them to create the site to get the 88,000 kids in Lucas County to get them vaccinated as quick as we get the vaccine, as efficiently as we can to do it because it's kind of like that's where they are," said Dr. David Grossman, Lucas County Health Department Commissioner.

The health department wants schools to allow the use of a cafeteria or gym from several hours to days to make sure all Lucas County kids have access to the vaccines.

"I don't see where we would not be willing to cooperate. We're there to help the families in every aspect," said Dorothy Thompson, Monclova Christian Academy Administrator.

This is new and scary ground for parents and administrators, only comparable to polio vaccines.

"It's been a long time--when I was a kid--the last time I remember doing this and I'm old. But I think it's very doable," said Kathryn Hott, Springfield Schools Superintendent.

In the next week or so this letter Swine Flu Letter to Lucas Co. Parents will go out to all parents of K-12 grades in Lucas County asking for their cooperation in getting their kids vaccinated.

"Watch for the paperwork, check our websites," said Hott. "We'll be communicating as they communicate with us. We'll be sure to get that out to parents."

Kids will need two doses of the swine flu vaccine, three weeks apart.

The shots will be free, but kids do need parent permission to get them at school, raising an issue for home-schoolers.

"If our school can include people that might not have the opportunity to go someplace and get it taken care of," said Thomas.

There are a lot of questions like that. But, right now, Lucas County is just dealing with what they know.

"We're dealing with 'we want some hard facts on this'-- that are somewhat unknown right now," said Grossman. "But we see it evolving and we're making plans for the knowledge we have today. If something happens or there's a problem with the vaccine or anything, we're going to have to change our plans."

Lucas County has not received any funding specifically for these efforts against Swine Flu.

Officials do have concerns about the high demand for staff and equipment, but they are committed to working all hours of the day to make these school vaccination clinics happen.

In case of an outbreak, the health department will provide schools masks and will  advise that sick kids be kept out of school for up to five days or even a week depending on the severity of the situation.

More information will be made available to schools and parents before flu season officially arrives.

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