Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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NH school absences soar as flu symptoms continue

LONDONDERRY, N.H. -- Some New Hampshire schools are facing high absence rate as the flu spreads.

One of the worst was the Londonderry School District, with about 20 percent of its student body out sick on Tuesday. Windham Middle school reported 18 percent of students absent Tuesday.

Londonderry said it is now asking parents who call in to report an absence to describe the symptoms their children have, to better keep track of how many may have H1N1.

Meanwhile, state officials say they're working with the federal government and local health providers to bring in more H1N1 vaccine.

New Hampshire health officials said the state needs 700,000 doses of the vaccine. But so far, it has received just 85,000.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)