5 isle schools earn praise for flu vaccination participation

Five Hawaii schools have been recognized by the state Department of Health for outstanding participation in the first statewide program to vaccinate students for influenza.

They include two Molokai schools -- Maunaloa Elementary and Kualapuu Elementary New Century Public Charter School, Ke Ana La'ahana Public Charter School on the Big Island, Sacred Hearts Academy and Waipahu Elementary, both on Oahu.

These schools had either the highest percentages of participation in the program or the most students.

The Health Department also recognized its Public Health Nursing Branch for "professional excellence and service above and beyond their normal duties."

The public health nurses "ensured that the hundreds of vaccination clinics ran smoothly and safely," Health Director Chiyome Fukino said in a news release.

Free flu shots were given to more than 60,000 elementary and middle school students in about 340 public and private schools from October through January. More than 9,000 faculty and staff also were vaccinated.

Consent forms will be sent to schools for distribution to parents in August.