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Read the press release here.

City Kicks Off Swine Flu Prevention in Schools

By DNAinfo Staff on October 6, 2009 3:28pm  | Updated on October 6, 2009 3:31pm

FILE - Charlie Houley, 8 receives a shot of a trial vaccine for the swine flu from a nurse (r.) in Maryland during a visit to Annapolis Pediatrics in Annapolis on Aug. 27, 2009.
FILE - Charlie Houley, 8 receives a shot of a trial vaccine for the swine flu from a nurse (r.) in Maryland during a visit to Annapolis Pediatrics in Annapolis on Aug. 27, 2009.
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AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File

By Carol Anne Riddell

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — Children and parents lined up for their swine flu vaccines — provided free from the city — at the Children's Workshop School in the East Village.

The school was part of a first round of swine flu prevention the city launched Monday. Five other schools also offered the vaccines at schools throughout the five boroughs.

The weeklong effort is intended to help the city's Health Department figure out the most efficient way to vaccinate school children before they launch a wider program later this month.

About 700 children are expected to receive the shots this by Friday.

Children must have consent forms signed by their parents and must attend the selected schools.

In the next few weeks, the vaccination program will expand to elementary schools the city. Under the city's plan, the by-consent vaccinations will be offered at all public and private elementary schools by mid-November.

The city will offer vaccines to middle and high school students at off-site clinics during November and December.