02/24/10

Centers for Disease Control eye schools as a model for H1N1 immunization

Cape Elizabeth Schools are among 30-40 systems in Maine eyed for its success in the H1N1 flu immunization program, and may be one of 12 selected in the state for more in-depth study.

In January, representatives from the federal and state Centers for Disease Control visited Cape Elizabeth, along with other school systems in the state, to begin an assessment of the direct and the indirect effects of the school-based 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccination program in Maine.

The study aims to determine the indirect effect of the vaccination program on absenteeism in schools, and the direct occurrence of laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 influzena.

As of early February 2010, Cape Elizabeth schools administered more than 2,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine to students at five clinics, said Cindy Tardif, Middle School nurse who is also a member of the Maine Association of School Nurses Board of Directors.

Some vaccinations were also given in impromtu settings to accommodate the needs of as many as possible, Tardif told members of the School Board at their meeting Feb. 9. Even the day after the meeting, some follow-up vaccinations were scheduled to be administered, Tardif said.

In Cape Elizabeth, the immunization program began in late October with a systemwide clinic, and a make-up clinic for those who did not make it to the first one. Follow-up boosters were administered to children younger than 10.

"Our efforts have been quite extensive, but more impressive than that are the results that they're expected to show," Tardif said.

Across Maine, school absenteeism peaked at 23 percent between the end of October and early December, then dropped dramatically to 5 percent, Tardif said. "The CDC across the state wants to look at some model programs and find out why, between Oct. 23 when we started vaccinating students and Dec. 5 when this drop occurred, why did it work?" Tardif said.

In addition to the site visit, Cape Elizabeth school nurses have participated in focus groups and will participate in online survey activities as the U.S. and state CDCs continue their data collection. "They just really want to know what happened, so they can figure out what to do in the future," Tardif said.

The national team will also be looking at case studies in Arkansas and Virginia, states that also chose to immunize children first.

"I just want you to know that we should be really proud of our efforts and that we (Maine schools) will be recognized across the state and nationally for what we've done," Tardif told members of the board.

Additional data to be collected from selected communities will include how disruptive the school-based vaccination program was to daily education. "The reality is that it was disruptive," Tardif said. "We had to be flexible." But with the support of administrators, teachers and staff, as well as volunteers, parents, Community Services, the Fire Department and the students themselves, "everyone came together to present a model of which we can truly be proud," she said.