The Richmond County School system is looking into options on how to deal with an outbreak of H1N1 flu.

“The only real question is whether it will be an opt-in, where parents send in a note that says they want their child to take the vaccine, or an opt-out, where parents would send a note to say they don’t want their child to take the vaccine,” said Richmond County Schools Public Information Officer Ashley Simmons.

“Right now, it will most likely be an opt-in format.”

That mirrors what County Health Director Dr. Tommy Jarrell told the board of health in a meeting last week. He explained the sheer volume of people requesting the vaccine at the department would bring all other activities of the department to a halt, necessitating the move to vaccinate students at their schools.

Flu vaccine will be sent out for every man, woman and child in North Carolina, he said, but targeted populations including pregnant women and children will receive higher priority for the vaccinations.

“Basically, everyone below the age of 24 will not be eligible until those populations have been served,” Jarrell said in the meeting.

Reports say this version of influenza may be mild, but there is still concern for the young or those with compromised immune systems.

The CDC continues to suggest the same precautions be taken against the spread of swine flu as are taken against the spread of the seasonal flu each year.

These include instructions to wash one’s hands frequently with warm water and soap, cover one’s mouth and nose when you sneeze, avoid excessive contact and stay at home when suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Jarrell said the first wave of flu vaccine will most likely be available in October, but possibly some vaccine could be received by the county in September.

Once received, the vaccine will be administered in two shots separated by approximately three weeks.

Flu outbreaks have led to school closings in Texas, New York, Chicago and South Carolina, among others, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization are predicting a surge in the number of cases during the course of the fall.

Most recently, nearly half of the 99 members of the Duke University football team came down with flu-like symptoms believed to be related to H1N1 in mid-August, according to multiple news outlets in the state.