Flu Information for Day Care Operators and Schools

Fall 2009. Source: NYSDOH

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) know that day care providers, teachers, staff, and parents are concerned about seasonal influenza (the flu) and the new H1N1 (Swine flu) virus.  Schools and child care centers are important partners in keeping communities healthy and slowing the spread of colds and all types of flu. 

What you can do to help keep children and staff in your facility healthy

• Get your flu shot or flu spray every year.  Insist your staff get vaccinated as well.
• Encourage your families to get vaccinated against the flu.
• Identify children and staff who are sick with influenza-like illness (fever with either cough or sore throat) with greater vigilance.  Children and staff who are sick should stay home or be sent home. 
• Share information about proper hand washing and covering mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing.
• Provide flu prevention messages to families and staff.
• Be vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting classroom materials. Some viruses can live from 20 minutes up to two hours or more on surfaces like tables, doorknobs and desks.

Did you know?

• The flu can spread easily from person to person.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
• The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
•  NYSDOH and CDC recommend that all children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday get a flu vaccine.
• Flu vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months.  Protecting these children from influenza means everyone around them should get vaccinated against the flu.
• The NYSDOH and CDC have free posters, brochures and fact sheets that can be downloaded, or ordered, to use in your facility and distribute to families and staff.

For free downloads and more about flu, flu vaccination and other ways to reduce the spread of flu go to:

• CDC Flu Guide for Parents: www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/ flugallery/2008-09/parents_guide.htm
• NYSDOH: www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/ communicable/influenza/seasonal/
• CDC: www.cdc.gov/flu/
• NYSDOH H1N1 (Swine Flu) information:  http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/ communicable/influenza/h1n1/
• CDC H1N1 (Swine flu) information:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Please email the NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization if you have any questions:  immunize@health.state.ny.us.