KAILUA-KONA — The annual Stop Flu at School, a voluntary program administering free flu shots to students in kindergarten through eighth grade, got underway Monday.
Approximately 30,000 students enrolled at 177 participating public schools are expected to be vaccinated during the eight-week Hawaii Department of Health program, which continues through Dec. 7.
The traditional flu season begins in early October and runs through late May. The flu vaccines this season have been updated to provide protection against circulating flu viruses expected to be most common, based on data from the past season.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone ages six months and older. Last flu season, CDC reported 180 pediatric flu-related deaths in the United States; 80 percent of which occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination. Hawaii had no influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported during the 2017-18 season.
“Vaccination is our best defense against the flu. It can help prevent illness, but more importantly, it decreases the risk of severe illness, which can result in hospitalizations and death,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “Vaccinating our school-age children will help reduce the spread of flu in our communities and protect those at risk of serious illness, including infants too young to be vaccinated, adults over 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.”
For those unable to be vaccinated through the Stop Flu at School program, flu vaccine is available through health care provider offices and clinics as well as pharmacies, for those older than age 11 years.
For a list of vaccinating pharmacies statewide, visit http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/vaccines-immunizations/vaccine-locators.
To learn more about the Stop Flu at School program, go to http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/about-us/programs/stop-flu-at-school/ or call the Aloha United Way’s information and referral line at 211.
Participating West Hawaii schools include:
Holualoa Elementary (Oct. 17)
Honaunau Elementary (Nov. 16)
Honokaa Elementary (Oct. 25)
Honokaa High and Intermediate (Oct. 16)
Hookena Elementary (Nov. 9)
Innovations Public Charter School (Nov. 15)
Kahakai Elementary (Dec. 4)
Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School (Nov. 8)
Ka‘u High and Pahala Elementary (Oct. 26)
Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino (Oct. 19)
Kealakehe Elementary (Oct. 18)
Kohala Elementary (Oct. 26)
Kohala Middle (Oct. 26)
Konawaena Elementary (Nov. 1)
Naalehu Elementary and Intermediate (Nov. 2)
Waikoloa Elementary and Middle (Oct. 23)
Waimea Elementary (Dec. 7)
Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School (Dec. 7)