Teachers Call For H1N1 Flu Clinics in Elementary Schools

TORONTO , Nov. 6 /CNW/ - Elementary teachers are urging the Ontario Government to set up clinics in schools to administer the H1N1 vaccine to all school-age children.

"We're seeing rising levels of absenteeism in many schools. Moving quickly to vaccinate all school-age children should be our next priority to ensure that our students do not find themselves on the front lines of an H1N1 pandemic," says Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario President Sam Hammond .

The most efficient way to do this, says Hammond, is to administer the H1N1 vaccine in schools.

"Logistically, schools are the ideal locations from which to vaccinate our children. A large number of children are congregated in one location, a major advantage for ensuring that inoculations are done quickly and efficiently. In effect, schools would be functioning as community hubs for distribution of an essential service, something the province has suggested schools should be."

Further, says Hammond, using schools as vaccination sites would reduce line-ups at public vaccination sites and eliminate the need for parents to take time off from work so they can take their children out of school to be vaccinated.

"As educators, we want what's best for our students. Having flu clinics in schools ensures that every student who has the consent of their parents will receive the H1N1 vaccine as quickly as possible."

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 73,000 elementary public school teachers and education workers across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada .

For further information: Sam Hammond, President, ETFO, [phone] (Office); Larry Skory, ETFO Communications, [phone] (Office), [phone] (Cell)