With another school year looming, districts across the nation are stepping up efforts to prevent swine flu outbreaks, the Associated Press reports.
The federal government will begin shipping a swine flu vaccine in mid-October and school officials are anticipating a high demand.
"There will be a massive attempt to use schools as vaccination centers," South Carolina State Superintendent Jim Rex told the Associated Press.
But questions remain, including exactly when the vaccine will be shipped and how much each state will get.
From the article: "The goal is to keep schools open; federal officials said last week schools should close only as a last resort. The emergence of the never-before-seen flu strain last spring prompted more than 700 schools to temporarily close, giving students and unexpected vacation as parents scrambled to find a cure."
On Sunday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged parents and teachers to remain cautious.
"Hopefully, we will engage schools as good vaccination partners. We anticipate having school-based vaccination clinics as soon as they're available and getting kids the protection that they need," Sebelius said on ABC television's "This Week."
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