The Niskayuna School District will hold an informational meeting on the potential severity of the coming flu season with the reemergence of the H1N1 flu virus on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Niskayuna High School Auditorium.
Parents staff and community members are invited to the presentation which will feature Dr. David Pratt of the Schenectady County Health Department and Dr. Brian Gordon, Schenectady County Legislator and Chairman of the Health Committee. Both Gordon and Pratt will discuss and provide information on the H1N1 flu virus and answer questions.
Nationally, according to an update from the office of Commissioner Pratt, the flu is spreading across the south, southwestern and western states while some schools are seeing unusually high absences and pharmacies are filling prescriptions for antiviral drugs and over the counter cold medicines- all of which are unusual activities in September and October.
The general meeting will discuss the H1N1 virus in the coming flu season, who makes up the priority groups for the vaccine, how to protect families from the virus and general tips on how to keep your family safe during the flu season. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be released in mid-October, priority groups include pregnant women, health care workers, school aged children 10 years or older and young adults 25 years or older with underlying medical problems.
There is no particular way to determine or control the extent to which this virus may affect schools and the local community, the meeting has been called to help faculty and parents become aware of the potential dangers with the reemergence of the H1N1 flu virus.
Weekly updates will be available on the Schenectady County website’s Flu Information Page, with tips for parents and concerned community members. For more information on the H1N1 flu virus and flu season tips, visit the Schenectady County website, www.schenectadycounty.com.
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