COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Health held a press conference Thursday morning, offering tips on how to keep students healthy during respiratory virus season.

ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff opened the conference with information about vaccines to stay safe during respiratory virus season. 

Dr. Vanderhoff outlined the current recommendations for RSV, flu, COVID-19 and measles vaccines:

- RSV vaccine: people ages 75 and older, those 50 - 75, with heart or lung disease, or a weak immune system, pregnant women in their 32nd-36th weeks and babies whose mom did not get the RSV vaccine, born between October and March.

- Flu vaccine: Anyone six months and older

- COVID-19 vaccine: Anyone 65 and older, anyone with a wide range of medical conditions that can increase the risk of contracting severe COVID-19 and anyone five years and older is eligible. The CDC urges that individuals speak with their healthcare providers to decide the best decision for them.

Dr. Vanderhoff took a moment to acknowledge the importance of vaccines saying, "The fact is that we continue to see too many people contracting illnesses that can have very serious health effects... For decades now, we have had very safe and very effective vaccines for serious diseases... I join countless healthcare providers in encouraging everyone to stay up to date on their vaccines".

There are 138 school-based health centers in 27 of Ohio's counties, across 49 school districts. These centers are medical offices on school grounds that are open to students, families, staff, and community members.

In 2022, the Ohio Department of Health began supporting school-based health centers by using COVID-19 relief funding.

Ohio's general assembly further supported in granting $15 million in general revenue for the 2024-2025 funding year and $20 million for the 2025-2026 funding year.

Dr. Vanderhoff said the large investment comes because "We recognize the importance of improving access to healthcare." School-based health centers make healthcare more accessible because the common obstacles that come with medical care, like finding a provider, having a parent find coverage at work or finding transportation to a clinic are removed. 

However, it was made clear that parent, whether in the appointment or not, are heavily informed of their child's healthcare. Dr. Sarah Bode, medical director of school-based health services at Nationwide Children's, stressed the importance of parental consent and partnership.

"We are talking to parents before, during, after... we know parents often have jobs where they may not be able to be talking at the time of the appointment but they are absolutely involved in every aspect of their child's care," Dr. Bode said

"Research has shown that school-based health centers not only can improve students' health but also support academic success," says Dr. Vanderhoff.

Data that has begun being collected is showing that kids miss less class time at facilities that have school-based health centers.

Some of these centers have begun offering more than primary care services thanks to additional funding. Some offer dental, vision and mental health services, and collaborate with specialists.

Senior director of school-based health service at Nationwide Children's, Dr. Mary Kay Irwin expanded on this, "What I would say is really important in school health is regardless of the type of care that we are offering in a school-based health center, it's really important that it's comprehensive".

When asked about those who are uninsured, Dr. Mary Kay Irwin reassured, "Everybody in this space is really trying to fill gaps and everybody pretty much has a strategy to support those individuals who cannot afford to seek care."

There are six local communities that have school-based health services: East Palestine, Liberty, Salem, Sebring, Warren and Youngstown.