Swine flu has had little impact on schools so far

As the weather gets gradually cooler, swine flu has so far not led to any significant increase in school absenteeism, The Times has learnt.

Although the number of absent schoolchildren had gone up compared to earlier in the school year, the rise was mainly due to seasonal influenza rather than to the H1N1 virus, a spokesman for the Education Division said.

Last week parents received a letter from the division saying that although there had been some confirmed cases of swine flu among children, the situation was not considered to be alarming.

The letter reassured them about the measures being taken to stop the spread of the virus.

"Influenza H1N1 is a mild disease and almost all of the ill children have recovered without any complications," it said, adding that children suffering from flu-like symptoms should remain at home and not be sent to school.

Going on advice given by the health authorities, the division said school closures were not recommended since the virus was already widespread within the community.

"Children are likely to be repeatedly exposed to the virus in their everyday lives and therefore closing a school will no longer be effective in slowing the spread of the virus."

There was therefore no intention to close schools early for the Christmas break to avoid more children getting sick with H1N1, the health authorities confirmed.

However, an increase in swine flu incidence is expected as the winter settles in and it is believed that a second wave of the global pandemic will hit the island soon.

Swine flu spread around the world after emerging in Mexico last April. The first case cropped up in Malta in July. It is estimated that there are some 300 new cases of swine flu here every week.

A first batch of vaccines, about 100,000, is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, possibly before the end of the year. Health care workers, pregnant women and children within vulnerable groups are expected to be vaccinated first. A second batch of vaccines is expected at a later date.

A statement on the Medical Association of Malta's website says that vaccination should start in the first week of January.

It explains that the vaccines are made just like seasonal influenza vaccines and are as safe and effective as seasonal vaccines. However, they will not prevent influenza-like illness caused by other viruses and will not prevent seasonal influenza. Just like the seasonal flu vaccines, the jab cannot be taken by children under six months.