New Jersey Schools Prepare for Swine Flu

Aug. 26, 2009 -- Officials are planning how they'll respond to swine flu when New Jersey's schools reopen in the next two weeks.

More than 600 educators and health officials met at South Brunswick High School Tuesday.

Officials say superintendents should keep schools open whenever possible. However, if a district has developed and carried out a plan for home study, state officials say they will take that into consideration if the district needs to apply for a waiver from the 180-day school year requirement.

State Education Commissioner Lucille Davy says the decision to participate in vaccinations will be up to individual school districts. Shots for the H1N1 virus are being tested. The vaccine would be shipped to New Jersey at the end of September or early October.