Flu Vaccine Shortage Makes Proactive Steps Even More Critical

BURBANK/SAN JOSE/SEASIDE — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today visited three schools to emphasize the need for students to protect themselves from catching and spreading the flu.

"The nationwide shortage of flu vaccine may make our students and school personnel more vulnerable to the disease this year," O'Connell said. "But there are simple steps students can take to keep our schools healthy. With everyone's cooperation, we can avoid sick days for students and school staff, and minimize the impact of the flu on student learning."

Steps that students should take to stay healthy and avoid spreading germs are: frequent hand washing with soap, covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and if sick, staying home.

O'Connell reminded school staff that "Keep Our Schools Healthy" artwork for school sites is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) Web site, attached below. Posters and fliers can be downloaded to remind students about these essential health tips. The "Keep Our Schools Healthy" materials are available in several languages. O'Connell urged principals and teachers to post the information around school sites.

"While there is no cure for the flu, students can be proactive to protect themselves from germs and increase their chances of staying healthy and in school," O'Connell said.

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Attachments

1. Germ Free Zone Poster - Spanish (PDF; 423KB, 1p.; 30-Dec-2003)
2. Germ Free Zone Poster - English (PDF; 776KB, 1p.; 30-Dec-2003)
3. Parents Keep Our School Healthy Poster - English and Spanish Modified (PDF; 411KB; 2pp.; 26-Oct-2007)
4. Keep Our School Healthy Poster 1 - English Modified (PDF; 414KB, 1p.; 26-Oct-2007)
5. Keep Our School Healthy Poster 2 - English Modified (PDF; 422KB, 1p.; 26-Oct-2007)
6. Germ Free Zone Poster - Multiple Languages Modified (PDF; 609KB, 1p.; 26-Oct-2007)