This school year, there's still concern over students missing a lot of classes. But it has nothing to do with furloughs.
The main culprit is the flu.
For the last three years the state has offered free vaccination clinics to elementary and middle school students for free.
Officials say it's still the most effective way to prevent the spread of the flu.
"It stops us from working. It stops our children from attending school and it puts a hold on the household in general,” said Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona.
The Stop Flu at School Program will be offered to 333 public and private schools.
Consent forms are now being handed out which need to be completed by parents and returned by September 9th.
Health officials say this year's vaccine is aimed at fighting the seasonal flu as well as last year's H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu.
"Which unfortunately continues to circulate and will continue to circulate and threaten those who have not yet gained immunity either through infection or through vaccination,” said Dr. Sarah Park.
The H1N1 virus was of great concern last year, causing a global pandemic.
Dr. Park says the World Health Organization declared the pandemic over earlier this month.
But the virus is still around.
"It's still circulating and behaving more like the seasonal flu viruses each of which carries a possibility or potential to cause severe disease,” said Dr. Park.
The H1N1 vaccine was also offered separately at schools last year.
Dr. Park points out that children eight years or younger who did not get the H1N1 vaccine last year will need two doses this year.
Once again, consent forms are due on September 9th.
