In order to keep students with severe allergies safe, Fairfax County Public Schools are going to install EpiPen stations around the school, as required by the Virginia General Assembly. They will be placed in various classrooms and around the hallway to help students should they suffer from an allergy attack.
Governor Robert McDonnell signed legislation after a 7-year-old Hopkins Road Elementary School student died last January of a severe allergic reaction after eating a peanut that had been given to her by another student on the playground. The legislation states that epinephrine pens should be on hand at every school, so that a nurse or administrator could help a student thought to be having an anaphylactic reaction.
The school nurse Erin Smith will train all of the teachers and administrators at the school how to use EpiPen. It is a single dose of epinephrine which is injected into the outer thigh suppressing the immune system. EpiPen is intended for self administration as emergency support only that is when someone is having trouble breathing, stomach pains or a weak pulse which are signs of anaphylaxis.
These EpiPen stations are not just for people with documented allergies. If a faculty member or administrator sees any student who appears to be having an attack, they must be given a shot.
Because reports show an increase of allergies in recent years, Fairfax County Public Schools are trying to get rid of all the allergens in the schools to provide a safe learning environment for everyone.
“Everything at Robinson is a challenge because of our size. Teachers will be trained how to use EpiPen. We are trying to get as many adults as possible to help any student in need,” said Principal Dan Meier.
The 7-year old Amarria Johnson’s death was making several people wonder how Virginia could help students with allergies.
“Students with known allergies will have their own EpiPen for use based on their physician’s orders in the school health room. The Epipen legislation is designed for students with unknown allergies that present with symptoms of anaphylaxis,” said FCPS Health specialist Lorraine Trouton.