STAR-BULLETIN / OCTOBER 2007
Veronique Phan, a University of Hawaii student-nurse, prepares a flu shot for a Sacred Hearts student.
|
|
Kids can get free flu shots
Free flu vaccinations will be offered to elementary and middle school students for the second year in a row.
Flu vaccinations
For more information on the "Stop Flu at School" program, go to www.stopfluatschool.com or call Aloha United Way's hot line at 211.
|
Free flu vaccines will be available at participating schools from October through December as part of the "Protect Hawaii's Keiki: Stop Flu at School" program. Altogether, 337 public and private schools are participating in this year's voluntary program.
Last year, Hawaii implemented the first statewide school-based influenza program for students between ages 5 and 13. More than 340 public and private schools participated.
Between October and January more than 60,000 students, or 45 percent of students, received free vaccinations as did more than 9,000 faculty and staff.
About 1,500 volunteers staffed school-based clinics statewide last year to administer vaccinations. Officials are currently working to recruit volunteers for the upcoming clinics. Clinic dates have yet to be scheduled.
The cost of the program is estimated at $2.5 million in federal and private funds.
Officials hope to reach 50 percent of students to reduce flu in schools and communities. Informational packets and consent forms were to be sent to parents and guardians this week. Students have the option of receiving the vaccine via shot or nasal mist.
Consent forms need to be submitted by Sept. 5. Only one clinic will be held at each school. Those who are unable to obtain a flu shot on the clinic date are advised to make an appointment with their family physician.
Schoolchildren nationwide have high rates of flu illness, according to health officials. Eighty schoolchildren stricken with the flu on the mainland died between January and June 14. No flu-related deaths were reported in Hawaii during the same time period, according to Dr. Chiyome Fukino, director of the state Department of Health, at a news conference yesterday. Hawaii experienced a mild season last year, which might be a result of the program.
While the flu program is voluntary, health officials urge parents to consider getting their children vaccinated to prevent flu from spreading among other family members, especially seniors and those suffering from a chronic illness. The school-based clinics are an effort at convenience for parents and guardians, acting state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said.
Typically, the flu season runs from October to March. But with Hawaii's climate and tourist population, flu occurs sporadically throughout the year.