With up to 90,000 Americans at risk of dying of swine flu this fall, public health officials are alerting schools to what they can do to prevent themselves from being incubators for the deadly H1N1 virus. Meanwhile, government officials are pushing drug companies to make sure the vaccine is available as early as next month.

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) warned that swine flu "poses a serious health threat" to the nation and up to half of the American population could come down with the strain and 90,000 could die this season. As many as 1.8 million people could end up in the hospital seeking treatment for the H1N1 virus. At its worst, between 60 and 120 million Americans could get sick with this particular flu, while another 30 million could contract it but not actually show symptoms. 

"This is going to be fairly serious," Harold Varmus of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and PCAST co-chairman, told Newsday. "It’s going to stress every aspect of our health system."

Click here to read wOw’s "5 Things You Should Know About Swine Flu."

Whereas the seasonal flu is also deadly and often causes death in the elderly, swine flu mainly preys on children and young adults. The vaccine was supposed to be made available beginning October 15 but that date could be pushed up. Health-care providers and pregnant woman will be among the first to receive the vaccine. And, of course, everyone should cover their mouths and frequently wash their hands, among other things, to avoid contracting the virus.

"This isn’t the flu that we’re used to," said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "The 2009 H1N1 virus will cause a more serious threat this fall."

Click here to read the entire PCAST report. Watch Sebelius talk about the swine flu threat and school preparation on "The Today Show" below: