The state Health Department will begin vaccinating public school children with the influenza shot or new "flu mist" spray this morning at Mililani Uka Elementary as part of a pilot project with the Department of Education.

There is no charge, and students will be able to choose if they want the shot or spray.

"We're always looking for ways to increase people getting their flu shots," said Health Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo.

"Since schools are a prime area for the spread of illness, we thought we'd see if we can implement flu shots and the flu mist in schools."

Okubo said workshops were held for parents over the past few weeks to explain the project. "We sent out consent forms so every parent who wanted their child to get it sent the form back," she said.

Students will be offered the regular shot, which is made up of dead virus, or a nasal spray made from a weakened form of the virus. It's formally called the "live attenuated influenza vaccine."

Hawai'i is already seeing some flu activity, but the season generally peaks here in March and April, said Okubo.

"The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is recommending that we extend the vaccination season all the way through January," Okubo said. "We see a lot of cases in March and April, so if you get a vaccination in December or January you can still get significant protection."

The Health Department expects to add two more Mililani schools to the vaccination pilot project next week.

Okubo said it's unlikely the Health Department will add additional schools this year because officials want to review the success of the pilot program first.

"We have to evaluate the findings and make a determination of where we go from here," she said. "The DOE has been a great partner. They understand this is to help protect the kids."

There's a major push throughout the nation to get as many people as possible vaccinated against influenza this year and Okubo said the health department will recognize National Influenza Vaccination Week, Nov. 27-Dec. 1.

"We want to build awareness that everyone can get the flu vaccine," Okubo said.

Manufacturers are producing a record number of vaccines this year, she said, perhaps in response to the high demand last year after the 2004 shortages.

The CDC Web site (www.cdc.gov) notes that older people, young children and those with certain health conditions are at highest risk for serious flu complications. Nationally about 36,000 people die each year from complications of the flu.

The CDC Web site also notes that children under 6 months of age should not be vaccinated. Nor should persons who: