Dr. Roger Platt, who works for both city agencies, reassured parents that the city is “ahead of the curve and we are seeing little H1N1.” Later, he told the Queens Chronicle that the virus may not re-emerge in the city this fall. “There’s a good chance a large portion of the population has immunization from last spring.”
   The virus first appeared in the United States last April after a group of St. Francis Prep High School students returned from a spring break trip to Mexico. The illness quickly spread from the Fresh Meadows school throughout the city, causing the mayor to temporarily close 60 schools.
   Platt and Kathleen Grimm, deputy schools chancellor, stressed that no schools would be closed this academic year. “We know more about the flu now and we have the vaccine,”Grimm said.
   Platt urged parents that if the flu returns, to keep sick children home until they are well. Although the swine flu is not a severe form, it is easily spread. “The uncommon thing is that deaths are occurring in young children,” rather than in older adults, he added.
   Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate 86 children have died from swine flu, with 43 in the past two months. That’s nearly as many as in the last three seasonal flu seasons combined.
   Medical experts don’t know why the virus is so lethal in children, but say that most of those who died had high-risk medical conditions such as asthma, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.
   The CDC does not keep exact numbers of swine flu deaths in adults, but reports indicate more than 600 Americans have succumbed. One in 13 of the deaths is a child.
   The city officials indicated the best way to prevent the spread of the flu and to protect children is to have them inoculated. Either a nasal spray or injection will be given free to all public and parochial elementary school students — with parental consent —where they attend classes. Older middle and high school students will go to flu centers on weekends to be treated.
   The swine flu inoculation, however, will not offer protection from seasonal flu.
   Consent forms to allow schools to give the swine flu inoculations are being distributed to public elementary school parents this week. They have three days to return the form. Parents can also download them and get other pertinent information at nyc.gov/flu.
   Platt explained that children 10 and under will need two doses, four weeks apart for full immunity. The inoculations will be given by the school nurse in schools with less than 400 students. Larger schools will be sent a team of professionals.
   Platt expects consent forms to go out later in parochial schools.
   He added that no community pre-K centers will be part of the immunization program as there are not enough nurses to make it practical. Pre-K students with classes in public school will be immunized. The others will be able to get the inoculation free at a weekend center or are advised to go to their pediatricians.
   Platt indicated that information for older students will go out Nov. 2. The flu center locations have not been announced yet, but Queens will have two, probably in schools. Older students must show up at a center with a parent to give approval.
   “We expect to immunize up to 50 percent of students in schools,” Platt said.
   The physician added that next year only one flu shot will be needed as there will be time to incorporate both the seasonal and swine flu strains.