Flu shots available for students on 10/17

A flu shot is recommended to prevent symptoms that may mimic those for COVID-19, hopefully saving you some anxiety in the process.

Oct. 9, 2020

Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth

A drive-thru vaccination will be held on Oct. 17 for students interested in receiving a free flu shot. Kamehameha Schools is offering free flu shots to KS students this year. Flu shots will be available on-campus and are highly recommended while our community continues to be impacted by this pandemic.

Vaccination can reduce the spread of influenza at home and in the community, helping to reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization for children, working age adults, and older adults. While not affective against coronavirus, the flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related symptoms from developing (many of which mimic symptoms of COVID-19).

Mālama Ola staff will be administering Fluzone Quadrivalent, which provides protection against four strains of influenza, and it has no preservatives. The vaccine uses inactivated virus which means it cannot cause the flu.

For your child to receive the flu vaccine, a signed and completed consent form should be brought with you in order for your child to receive their flu shot. Download the consent form at http://bit.ly/malamaflushot2020.

A drive-thru vaccination will be administered on Saturday, October 17 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. outside of the high school health room (see the map below).

The student receiving the flu shot should be on the passenger side of the car.
Students are unable to drive themselves if receiving a flu shot.
Everyone in the car needs to wear a mask before opening the window.
Make sure to have a completed consent form to save yourself time.
Families will drive through the tent by the Pauahi Administration building at the high school. There will be two stations:
- Station 1: Student will have a temperature screen, and should show a school I.D. if available (if none available, we can verify using a name and date of birth). Once verified, you can pull up to station 2.
- Station 2: Vehicle should be put into park. Turn in the completed consent form. Flu shot will be administered on the passenger side into the right arm. If multiple students in the same car, if possible to have them on the passenger side or at least accessible next to the window (not in a middle seat).
If additional assistance is needed, or child needs to be held during the shot, we will have a designated area available.

Please RSVP by email to juriveir@ksbe.edu by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 if interested in having your child receive a flu shot. If there are any questions, please contact Carl deLeon, RN at (808) 982-0411.

Drive-thru vaccinations will be given outside of the administration building on the high school campus.