Published: October 17, 2009 05:37 pm      

The race to vaccinate

Schools dealing with absenteeism as they wait for vaccines to arrive

The H1N1, or swine flu, is affecting schools throughout the county, including one that had about 20 percent of its population out for days.

Clarksville Middle School was hit particularly hard about two weeks ago, according to Interim Superintendent Kim Knott, with Clarksville Community School Corp. She said for about two days, 20 percent of the student population was absent, with at least half of those reporting to have symptoms similar to the H1N1, though not all were officially diagnosed.

“We’re back to normal now, which is 90 to 95 percent [attendance rate],” Knott said.

They aren’t alone.

“We have seen a drop in attendance in all of our schools,” said Travis Haire, assistant superintendent at Greater Clark County Schools, adding that the overall district attendance is down by a few percentage points.

Haire said some of the district’s individual schools have dipped to about 82 percent attendance, meaning 18 percent of students were absent. He said that has varied at schools, lasting for a few days at a time.

Henryville Elementary School had about 10 percent out for a few days about a week and a half ago, according to Superintendent Monty Schneider, with West Clark Community Schools.

“It’s a big concern to us having kids out of school,” Schneider said, adding that it puts those students behind and also leaves the teacher having to reteach lessons when they return.

Schneider said if 20 percent of students are absent at a given time, then shutting down a building could be a possibility.

“If it gets around there, I think that’s something to think about,” he said.

Meanwhile, those districts and others are taking steps to prevent the disease and keep it from spreading while they wait for the vaccines to arrive. Knott said Clarksville custodians are testing cleaning solutions to make sure those are the right strength to sanitize and clean. Door knobs, water fountains, student desks are being cleaned more often to combat viruses spreading, Knott added.

Greater Clark and West Clark are taking similar measures to make sure everything is clean and hand sanitizers are readily available.

“Prevention is key,” Haire said. “Right now, we’re waiting on the vaccine,” he added.

Those are coming, but in incremental shipments.

The Clark County Health Department has received about 4,000 vaccinations and more are expected to come in on a week-to-week basis.

Haire said the plan to vaccinate children — which will happen in schools during the school day — won’t start until the county has enough for all the schools. He said he’s expecting vaccinations to be given on Oct. 26 and 27 in Greater Clark, though that date has yet to be confirmed. Knott and Schneider haven’t been given set dates yet.

“Hopefully, the first school will be next week. All or most of the schools, we’re hoping, will be done I’d like to say this month, but I think it’s going to run into the first week of November,” said Dr. Kevin Burke, Clark County health officer. “Hopefully, over two to three weeks we will have all of the schools immunized.”

Haire said all elementary students who get the vaccine will receive the nasal form of it. Those 9 years old or younger will have to have two doses of the vaccine, versus the one dose those older than that need.

Only those who have signed permission slips from their parents or guardians will be vaccinated. The vaccine is free to all who choose to receive it.

— Evening News reporter Braden Lammers contributed to this report.