Hawai`i Schools Honored for Participation in Vaccination Program

The six schools represent public, private and charter schools from throughout the state and were distinguished by having either the highest percentages of participation or greatest numbers of students participating in the program.    

"Given the current global H1N1 flu situation, highlighting this program and these top-performing schools couldn't be more timely," said Director of Health Chiyome Fukino, M.D. "Vaccinating our children against seasonal influenza and keeping flu illness to a minimum will go a long way toward helping us control the spread of novel strains such as the H1N1 virus."

Last year, the DOH Stop Flu at School program received the Immunization Excellence Award for Overall 2007-08 Season Activity by the National Influenza Vaccine Summit.  Over the past two years, the program has provided influenza vaccinations at no charge to over 120,000 elementary and middle school students in public and private schools throughout the state.  Over 15,000 school faculty and staff were also vaccinated.

"Thanks to the foresight of the Department of Health and its successful partnerships with public and private schools and healthcare providers, systems are already in place for us to quickly and efficiently respond to help keep our keiki safe and healthy," said Lt. Governor Aiona. "We were the first in the nation to institute this program, and our early preparation is paying off."

• To learn more about the program, please visit: http://www.stopfluatschool.com/