A Helpful Guide for School-located Influenza Vaccination Programs​

Shoo the Flu® is a proven model for implementing a school-located influenza vaccination (SLIV) program, bringing flu vaccines to school students in partnership with county health departments, state departments of public health, and school districts.

Vaccination at schools can address challenges faced by health care providers to vaccinate large numbers of children in a short window of time by bringing the vaccines to where children are. A school-located program also makes influenza vaccination an easier choice for parents and caregivers by addressing common vaccination barriers.

Dizzy the flu germ holds a sign saying "A new study shows the benefits of school-based influenza vaccination—read it here!"

Shoo the Flu at School

How does it work?

It takes a community to execute successful SLIV programs. The Shoo the Flu model activates cross-sector collaborations among local health departments, school districts, and other community partners. Together they bring the program to life, offering free influenza vaccines to participating schools and assembling trained healthcare professionals to vaccinate all students and school staff with completed consent forms.

Shoo the Flu is a good way to protect students and communities from influenza—plus, it’s:

  • Safe: It’s the same influenza vaccine students would get from their regular healthcare provider.
  • Easy: Students only need a completed consent form in order to participate.
  • Convenient: The whole process takes place during school hours.

Shoo the Flu helps students say Yes to the influenza vaccine. This model:

  • eliminates the need to take time off of work or school
  • promotes confidence-building and student-friendly communication about the vaccine, and
  • builds community within schools about the best ways to protect family and loved ones from the flu.
Check out the full Shoo the Flu Toolkit for help and resources to get started vaccinating in your schools
“I welcome Shoo the Flu each year. Students and staff may not be able to afford or take the time to get the shot. Thanks to you all!”
School Administrative Staff Member
“Many families work during the day so it’s a challenge to make it to a clinic. It’s a blessing and an opportunity to have Shoo the Flu at our school.”
School Staff Member
“Hats off to the state for putting these school clinics high on their priority list.”
Community Partner
“People in our department saw how lively it was, and a bunch of them stepped up to the plate. They loved it…there is a place for everybody in this.
Public Health Department Partner
“On the day of the clinic everything went very smoothly and took less time than expected. In fact, I think that was one of the concerns was how much of the day the clinic would take up, interrupting instruction. [It] was not the case.”
Teacher
“It’s very accomodating that Shoo the Flu offers [materials] in various languages. It’s comforting to the families to know we’re mindful of the fact that there are language barriers and it makes them feel more comfortable.”
School Staff Member

The Toolkit

Start your own program with these helpful resources!

Shoo the Flu has developed a toolkit to support school districts, local health departments, and other community organizations interested in implementing their own SLIV program. The content was developed through the implementation of an SLIV program in Oakland, California and includes:

  • Promotional and outreach materials
  • Instructional materials for school staff
  • Operational documents and training guides
  • Evaluation tools
  • And much more!
Gloober the flu germ brings a pencil