Evening star., 1957-08-29
Flu Shots Souqht
For City Teachers
Corning Wants
Instructors Put
On PriorityList
BY PHIL THOMAS

Of schools has asked inocula.
ton with the new Asiatic flu
for teachers and school
officers to protect them from
an epidemic of the disease.
In a letter to DR.. Daniel L.
Finucane. District director of
public health and chairman Of
the recently organized District
Asiatic Influenza Committee.
DR.. Hobart M. Corning said:
Il think it would be com.
agreed teachers and of.
ficerS are in a particularly vul.
nerable position should an
epidemic occur.
1T is my belief consideration
should be given to including
the teachers and officers in the
public schools"
But DR.. Corning pointed out
in his letter that teachers must
work indoors with large groups
OF children and therefore are
exposed constantly to any
germs which might result in
their contracting" Asiatic flu.
Furthermore should the
teacher herself contract the
disease. there would be the
likelihood of children being in.
fected.
The education of children is
extremely important, and the
teachers absence from the
classroom constitutes a serious
Interruption" DR.. Corning said.
The list released by the Dis
trict Flu Committee is flexible,
according to DR.. Finucane. and
Will undoubtedly be expanded.
He has said any groups wish
ing to request shots for EN-.
ployeS should ask in writing
that the committee approve
such action.
The health director said he
has no comment on DR.. Cor.
ning's request.
I'VE have several other
letters-it could be as many
rs 10 = from industries and
others asking for consideration
when the vaccine becomes
available.
These. with DR.. Corning's
request. will be considered by
the committee during its meet.
ing next week." DR.. Finucane
said.
Yesterday. a proposed de-
layed opening of the Nations
schools and banning of public
gatherings was rejected by the
State and Territorial Health
Officers Association of the
United States.
Closing a two-day meeting
here, the health officers said
here was mo practical advan-
5age" to such moves as related
10 spread Of the disease.
The meeting was called by
Surgeon General Leroy E. Bur-
ney to consider steps to be
aiken to forestall the expected
epidemic.
However. the organization
said there may be "administra-
i've reasons" for school clos
Ings, if the epidemic should
strike These would include the
illness of school bus drivers
and teachers or large student
absentee rates.
DR.. Finucane has predicted
n line with the forecast-that
some 10000 persons in the
District will contract the dis
Ease, if the epidemic comes.
The health officers also ap.
proved committee reports call.
ng for:
l. The appointment of a ma.
tional commission on influenza
~ DR.. Burney to identify needs
relating to the effect of inf1u-
MA on the civilian population
If the Nation"
2. Maximum reliance on
home care Of the i'll in event
of an epidemic and limiting of
hospital admissions to those
Eases with complications or to
with other diseases
which might be aggravated by
Asiatic flu.
8. A weekly reporting system
IF flu cases diagnosed. with
counties providing statistics to
,he States and the States to the
Public Health Service.
4. Priority incubation lists
made UP by local Government
units, not by the Public Health
Service or other branch of the
Federal Government.
5. Initial incubation with
he present limited supply Of
'accine only to those whose
services are necessary to main
ain the health Of the COM
other basic community
and to persons with
tuberculosis and those who
constitute a special medical
'isk.
6. incubation Of children
rom 3 months to 5 years Of
ICE with two doses. not one,