Tulsa Daycare Centers Working Hard To Keep H1N1 At Bay

By Latoya Silmon, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- It is an uphill fight for daycare centers across Tulsa who are battling the H1N1 flu. 

Young children are the most at risk for the flu and keeping them healthy is no easy task. The threat is real.  The numbers from the Centers for Disease Control show children under five years old are especially vulnerable.  And babies up to six months old are too young to get the seasonal or H1N1 vaccine. 

So those charged with taking care for them need to be careful and take the necessary steps to protect them. 

Many Tulsa area daycare centers contacted by The News On 6 say they take babies up to school age children and they're working hard to keep everyone healthy. 

In fact, one daycare center in Brookside is passing out flyers to every parent. It has a list of symptoms of the flu and tells parents about the precautions it's taking like checking each child's temperature daily. 

That's right in line with what the CDC recommends. 

Along with taking temps, the experts recommend daycare workers look for changes in a child's behavior, or signs of symptoms.  Encourage hand washing and respiratory etiquette that means keeping hands away from the nose, mouth and eyes. 

They should also make sure kids cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Routine cleaning is also key, especially toys and play areas. 

These are really guidelines that all of us could use. 

It's also important to note that the CDC says the vaccine for H1N1 is best.  Quantities of the vaccine are limited for now, but the Tulsa Health Department officials say that should change by the end of the month. 

In the meantime, as one Tulsa doctor told The News On 6, if you or a loved have had the swine flu you won't need the vaccine this year.