Flu season is fast approaching and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health has started administering flu vaccines to elementary and middle school schools students statewide through the “Protect Hawai‘i’s Keiki: Stop Flu at School” program. Throughout the state, 309 schools
Flu season is fast approaching and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health has started administering flu vaccines to elementary and middle school schools students statewide through the “Protect Hawai‘i’s Keiki: Stop Flu at School” program. Throughout the state, 309 schools and 409 clinics are participating through January 2008.
“Children are easy targets for flu germs and are more likely to spread it to family members than almost any other group,” Dr. Chiyome Leinaala Fukino said, according to a press release. “Preventing the spread of flu among children at school can reduce the spread of flu at home and in the community. Getting the flu vaccine is everyone’s best protection against the flu.”
Studies have shown that vaccinated school children have fewer illnesses and absences from school as well as lower rates of illnesses in their families during the flu season.
On Kaua‘i, more than 3,000 school children are signed up to receive doses of the flu vaccine through the program. At public and private schools, more than 400 Kaua‘i teachers, volunteers and school staff will also receive the vaccine.
“We hope to provide this service again in future years, and this program helps remind everyone of the importance of getting their seasonal flu vaccine,” state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Effler said in a press release. “This is a great example of how the state, with the help of educators and health care providers, can make our communities stronger and healthier.”
The first vaccination clinic on Kaua‘i will be held Tuesday at Wilcox Elementary School in Lihu‘e. To confirm attendance, call Dr. Moji Owolabi at 241-3555. For more information about the program, go to www.stopfluatschool.com.
