Information for School Nurses on Preparedness Planning
ANA information to assist School Nurses in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission by preventing the spread in schools, childcare facilities, and the community
Preparedness Planning, Data, and Clinical Guidance for the Care of Children
School nurses work every day to prevent the spread of infection in schools, childcare facilities, and the community. Learn more about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within your school.
Slowing the spread of COVID-19 within the community involves prevention of the spread amongst children within schools and childcare facilities. Limiting the spread within schools protects not only our children, but their families, particularly elderly family members and family members with compromised immune systems and chronic health conditions. Here you will find the most up-to-date information for preparedness planning, data sharing, and clinical guidance for the care of children.
Operation Expanded Testing (OpET)
In addition to COVID-19 vaccination, physical distancing, and masking, testing is a safe and effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. OpET supports no-cost school-based testing for K-12 students and congregate settings in communities that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The program is available to child care centers, K-12 schools, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and congregate settings, such as homeless shelters, domestic violence and abuse shelters, non-federal correctional facilities, and other qualified sites. Use this link to see if your school qualifies.
Isolation, Quarantine, and Test to Stay Guidance for Children in K-12 School Settings
Read the latest CDC recommendations on isolation, quarantine, and test to stay criteria for students and teachers in K-12 school settings.
COVID-19 Vaccination for Children
The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. We strongly encourage all students who are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible and those who are fully vaccinated and eligible to get a booster as soon as timing permits.
Preventing the Transmission of COVID-19 Within School Buildings
Read the June 2021 ABC Science Collaborative report, co-funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, which provides information to help school leaders and policy makers safely resume in-person learning while also preventing the transmission of COVID-19 within school buildings.
Find additional guidance for preventing Covid-19 in schools on the CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools page, and the CDC Schools, Child Care, and Colleges page.
Read through preparedness information and guidance for the safe reopening of schools provided by the National Association of School Nurses.
Find the most up-to-date data on how COVID-19 is impacting children through the American Academy of Pediatrics State Level Data Reports.
Clinical Guidance for the Care of Children
Find up-to-date clinical guidance for the care of children during the COVID-19 pandemic including care of children with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C), care of children with special health needs, care within the ambulatory setting, and care of infants.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance for Schools and Other Public Spaces.
Read the latest guidance on disinfection of public spaces including schools, disinfection procedures when someone is sick, and guidelines for reopening after shutdown.
Toolkit for School-located Vaccination Clinics
School-located vaccination clinics support a safe school environment, and provide opportunities for Covid-19, flu and catch-up vaccination for children returning to in-person learning.