New York State health officials held a strategy session with educators and the public Thursday on tackling swine flu as kids head back to class.

The federal government expects the H1N1 virus to be bigger and more widespread this school year so it?s paying for free vaccines, which will be distributed at the county level.

State Health Commissioner Richard Daines says success rests in the hands of local officials. Several school districts on Long Island tell News 12 they have comprehensive plans to fight the spread of H1N1, starting with telling kids to keep germs to themselves.