H1N1 (Swine Flu) Questions and Answers

View the same questions organized by topic.

PLEASE NOTE: Guidance from the US CDC and other sources is evolving rapidly. Check here and on US CDC and Maine CDC web sites frequently for updates. All questions and answers on this page have been reviewed and approved by the Maine CDC.

Q: Why are some schools getting the vaccine before others?

A: School districts are receiving vaccine based on district readiness. Readiness is defined using the H1N1 Clinic Readiness Checklist from the Maine CDC. You can find it at the bottom of the web page: http://www.maineflu.gov/schools . Or you can open it directly: http://www.maine.gov/education/h1n1/areyouready.pdf . (12/2/09)

Q: What strategies will be in place to deal with possible building closures this fall?

A: US CDC is offering new guidance that is slower to close schools than previous guidance. For example, even with elevated incidence of H1N1 among students in a particular grade, schools may be asked to consider shutting down school for that grade only. We are also developing strategies to help students who are kept home from school – whether because they are sick or because their grade or school has been closed – to continue their studies from home and to access school lunches if they are eligible for free and reduced lunch. As always, we rely on Maine CDC as the public health experts and take our lead from and support them and our schools in these matters. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: Our schools signed up for the seasonal vaccination clinic; do we have to sign up again for H1N1?

A: Yes. Though the Department and the Maine CDC generally assume that schools that signed up for the seasonal vaccine also are interested in H1N1. Please contact Maine CDC at the phone number listed above to inform them of your plans. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: Can we request additional doses of vaccine for unenrolled children, parents, and/or others in the community?

A: Maine CDC will work with you to determine who should receive the vaccinations and how many should be delivered to your schools. The Maine CDC has prioritized who is in most need of vaccination based on information and guidance from the US CDC. While children are in the priority groups for both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations, the other priority groups are not the same for seasonal flu as for H1N1. Therefore, it is important that you work in conjunction with Maine CDC to determine who, besides children, could be included in a school-based vaccination clinic. There is no requirement that schools offering clinics offer vaccinations to anyone besides children and staff enrolled/working in the school. Due to the continued delay in H1N1 vaccine availability, it is a priority to vaccinate school-age children first. As vaccine becomes more available, more priority groups will be offered vaccine. Persons at high risk or with small children should be in frequent contact with primary care providers. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: Where can we get information about travel advisories?

A: Please visit the following US CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ . The Maine CDC encourages people who are ill to stay home when sick, especially with a fever. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: Should our students take field trips, participate in athletic events, etc.?

A: Whether or not to go ahead with field trips – both in-state and out-of-state - remains an individual decision to be made by school systems. Schools should assess the situation, consider where the students are travelling to, and how many cases of H1N1 are in the area to be visited. US CDC guidance does not suggest schools should avoid participation in events like field trips. Local administrators, in consultation with their public health advisors, should make their best judgment. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: Does the U.S. Department of Education have any guidance for schools?

A: Yes. You can find USDE guidance at: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html . Please note that, as with all guidance, recommendations in this document may have evolved. Stay updated on all guidance from the US CDC and other sources. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: Should we encourage the use of hand sanitizers?

A: It is a local decision to use them. US CDC is recommending alcohol-based sanitizers when access to soap and water is limited. School districts can work with their local cleaning supply companies to explore options to provide access. The most effective means of preventing the spread of flu continue to be: frequent hand washing with soap and warm water and coughing/sneezing into a tissue or sleeve. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: What are the recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) for disinfecting?

A: Most disinfectants are corrosive and can cause skin burns or eye damage when used improperly. These products will have the signal word “DANGER” on their label and require the user to wear protective equipment during their use. Some pre-diluted disinfectant products with “CAUTION” on their labels are ready to use and require little or no protective equipment. It is still recommended to use gloves when working with these cleaning agents. Read more about school cleaning recommendations from the U.S. CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/technicalreport.htm#routine (updated 12/2/09)

Q: Are masks recommended at school for children and/or staff?

A: No, the Maine CDC does not recommend masks as they are not considered effective in this situation. Read the guidance: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/h1n1/infection-control.shtml#guidance (updated 12/2/09)

Q: If the school is closed due to the flu, do the children have to stay at home?

A: The purpose of the school closure is to avoid close contact because this flu is very contagious. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that contact with other children be limited, as much as possible, until it is determined that it is safe for the children to return to school. That means that social gatherings should be cancelled and that children should avoid congregating in large numbers in other settings. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: What should private residential schools do to protect our students?

A: Private schools should follow the same procedures that are recommended for public schools and will be contacted by Maine CDC if influenza like symptoms increase in the school. It is unlikely that it will be recommended to close the residential program at a school, though students with H1N1 would be moved to a location where they would not have contact with other students. Private schools should consult with the Maine CDC on the need to close the residential program at the school. (updated 12/1/09)

Q: Can a school-based vaccination program provide vaccinations to non-students – for example, children under 4 years old who are not enrolled, or parents – and still be immune from liability?

A: Yes. The liability immunity provided in both the state and federal provisions applies to vaccinations in the school setting during the period covered by the declarations. The federal provision covers the H1N1 vaccination only; the state provision covers both. (9/1/09)

Q: Has anyone compiled any resources for school superintendents, heads of schools and other school administrators?

A: The Department of Education has created an H1N1 web page for superintendents and heads of schools that offers resources of this kind, and is updating it as more or updated information becomes available. (5/3/09)

Q: How will career and technical education centers and regions know when to close?

A: The Maine CDC is continuing to monitor probable and confirmed cases and will contact the superintendent and the director of the vocational center if either is identified in their SAU, to discuss the recommended scope of the closure. (5/3/09)

Q: If students in a school have recently traveled to Mexico or to some other area where there is a high prevalence of the H1N1 virus should they remain out of school for a certain period of time?

A: There is no recommendation from the US CDC to keep them out of school as long as they are not symptomatic. (5/3/09)

Q: Should school-based meetings, such as PTA or professional development across multiple schools, be cancelled?

A: Maine CDC is not recommending cancelling meetings at this time. Meeting conveners (and participants) should consider the meeting location and the conditions at the time. Stay informed about conditions and any changes to US CDC guidance. (5/4/09)

Q: What can we do about day care?

A: If day care is necessary, groups of two to three families could consider sharing day care. Students from a closed school should not be sent to a regular day care setting with many children, especially from the same school that was closed. (5/4/09)

Q: What should private residential schools do to protect our students?

A: Private schools should follow the same procedures that are recommended for public schools and will be contacted by Maine CDC if a student or staff member is found to have the H1N1 flu. It is unlikely that it will be recommended to close the residential program at a school, though students with H1N1 would be moved to a location where they would not have contact with other students. Private schools should consult with the Maine CDC on the need to close the residential program at the school. (5/4/09)

Q: Is it safe for the parent of a student whose school has been closed due to flu to go to work? In particular, is it safe for the parent to go to work if that parent works at a school?

A: In general, there are no restrictions on parents of a student whose school has been closed. This includes parents who work at a school. As with any individual, if a parent becomes symptomatic, he/she should then stay home and seek medical advice. (5/4/09)

Q: What advice should Child Development Services (CDS) regional sites follow?

A: CDS sites, like child care facilities, should follow the same advice and protocols that are given for public schools. (5/3/09)

Q: What are the recommendations for cleaning/disinfecting at schools?

A: In addition to having “Influenza” on the label, look for mention of “schools” or “institutions.” The label should also provide a list of surfaces, generally hard non-porous surfaces, dilution rates and contact time (how long the material must stay on the surface before rinsing). For more details on recommendations for cleaning, see “Industrial Hygiene and School Cleaning Guidance” on the superintendents’ H1N1 resource page. (5/3/09)

Still have questions?

View the Q&A for superintendents and heads of schools

Contact Maine DOE with your school-related H1N1 flu questions

View the Maine CDC's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)