HONOLULU – The state Department of Health’s annual Stop Flu at School program began Monday and will continue in 177 public schools statewide through Dec. 7, 2018.
The voluntary program administers free flu shots to students in kindergarten through eighth grade who are enrolled at participating schools. Approximately 30,000 students are expected to be vaccinated during the eight-week program.
“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 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.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone ages 6 months and older.
Last flu season, CDC reported 180 pediatric flu-related deaths in the United States. Approximately 80 percent of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination.
“While there were no influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported in Hawaii during the 2017-2018 season, flu circulates year-round in Hawaii and is unpredictable, which is why it is crucial to get vaccinated each year,” Park said.
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.
Since flu can cause severe illness in people of all ages, DOH encourages everyone to talk to their health-care provider about the vaccine and consider getting vaccinated. 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 the DOH Vaccine Locator online at http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/.
DOH also recommends other flu prevention strategies, including staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands frequently.