As September moves into its second week, students are now settled back in school for another year of reading, writing and arithmetic.
And with September also marking when officials recommend vaccinations, students will soon resume their roles as germ spreaders.
The close quarters of schools combined with the sometimes lax cleanliness of kids — think uncovered sneezes and nose picking — make classrooms an ideal incubator for germs during flu season.
With several new studies showing that school-age children are the biggest culprits for spreading the respiratory virus, the government is now recommending the flu vaccine for all children ages 6 months to 18 years old.
Even if they don't get as sick themselves, older children and teenagers can still make others sick.
"They're the impetus for the whole family getting sick, in many cases," said Stephen Rittenhouse, a family physician at Susquehanna Family Health Center in Marietta.
Rittenhouse said the new CDC recommendations seemed to be part of a trend toward more flu shots in general.
"It is a progression toward basically saying, 'Gee, everyone should probably get the flu shot,'" he said.
Yet Rittenhouse added that since many older children and teenagers don't visit the doctor that often, it may be hard to get them in for a flu shot.
"It is going to be a difficult message to get out," Rittenhouse said.
Local doctors and hospital officials said that with the expanded recommendations for flu vaccines, suppliers have stepped up production and they don't expect a repeat this year of flu-shot shortages that hit during the 2004-05 flu season.
The flu shot usually costs less than $30, with discounted ones available. A flu mist, which can be used for healthy people ages 2 to 49, costs around $60 to $70.
Staff writer Chad Umble can be reached at cumble@LNPnews.com or 481-6031.



