Ministers have been asked to consider closing schools this autumn to help curb the number of swine flu cases.
Scientists from Imperial College London say studies suggest it could reduce the number of infections by up to 45%.
Professor Neil Ferguson and Dr Simon Cauchemez, who put forward the idea in a paper in the Lancet, say the move may buy enough time to produce a vaccine.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said closing schools would not contain the virus's spread as it was already established.
In their Lancet paper, the scientists wrote: "The [swine flu] pandemic could become more severe, and so the current cautious approach of not necessarily recommending school closure in Europe and North America might need reappraisal in the autumn."
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said closing schools would not contain the virus's spread as it was already established.
In their Lancet paper, the scientists wrote: "The [swine flu] pandemic could become more severe, and so the current cautious approach of not necessarily recommending school closure in Europe and North America might need reappraisal in the autumn."
'Strong arguments'
Professor Ferguson and Dr Cauchemez quoted a recent French study which suggested "proactively" closing schools could reduce flu cases by 13% to 17% overall, and by between 38% and 45% during the outbreak's peak.
There were "strong arguments" for ministers to close schools because children appeared to be more susceptible to the virus than adults, they said.
Professor Ferguson and Dr Cauchemez quoted a recent French study which suggested "proactively" closing schools could reduce flu cases by 13% to 17% overall, and by between 38% and 45% during the outbreak's peak.
There were "strong arguments" for ministers to close schools because children appeared to be more susceptible to the virus than adults, they said.
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