Charlotte Schools prepare for rough flu season as school begins

August 3, 7:33 AMCharlotte Public Education ExaminerVirginia Franco

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AP Photo/Jorge Saenz

Double Whammy kicks off preparations
With 15 confirmed cases of swine flu in Mecklenburg County this summer, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the county health department are hashing out plans to deal with new cases when school starts at the end of the month, according to local NBC affiliate WCNC's website.
 

The planning, according to Health Department Medical Director Dr. Stephen Keener, assumes a worst case scenario that this fall the flu season will be more virulent and severe than in the past. This is because both swine flu and traditional seasonal flu are expected to hit concurrently and/or simultaneously.
 

Flu vaccine shortage
The swine flu vaccine will be ready in October, and a priority list has been drawn up for those who should take it since there will not be enough for everyone. Pregnant women, emergency and health care workers, and then children under 18, are at the top of the list.
Mass-inoculations part of plan.
The county Health Department is already lining up help should it become necessary to do mass-inoculations of CMS students, and is searching for partners to assist.
 

More on swine flu and flu season
NC braces itself for worst possible swine flu scenario this school year
Swine Flu update blog