State school and health officials are urging parents to have students ages 5 through 13 immunized against seasonal flu early this fall, either through a shot or nasal spray.

The officials kicked off the third annual "Stop Flu at School Campaign" yesterday with a ceremony at the Governor's Office.

Information and consent forms are being sent to homes this week with students in kindergarten through the eighth grade. Consent forms must be returned no later than Sept. 11.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona emphasized that the immunization program is not aimed at the "novel H1N1 virus" known as swine flu.

But it is meant to protect Hawai'i's keiki against the seasonal flu. Summer seasonal flu cases in Hawai'i have been running a bit higher than usual this year, Aiona said.

About 62,000 students, or 40 percent of those eligible, participated in the flu immunization program last year, Aiona said.

Dr. Chiyome Fukino, state health director, said the Stop Flu at School success over the past two years has made the state Department of Health "better prepared to respond to a possibly very busy flu season this fall."

In situations where 10 to 15 percent of a school's students are out sick with the flu, Department of Health specialists will go to the school to determine what type of flu is involved and decide whether to close the school, Fukino said.

Assistant State School Superintendent Daniel Hamada said elementary and middle schools provide a ready avenue for the spread of flu.

"Fewer sick days mean more days spent in the classroom," Hamada said, urging parents to have their children immunized. School faculty and staff members are also encouraged to take part in the program.

The government officials also urged parents to participate in the Hawaii Immunization Registry, a free Department of Health service, where doctors and nurses can store patient immunization records.

"The registry is a secure, confidential computer system that will help ensure our children and adults receive the immunizations they need," Fukino said. "It is also an important resource in times of emergency or disaster."

Information on the Stop Flu at School program is online at www.stopfluatschool.com.

Stop Flu at School partners also include the Hawai'i Association of Independent Schools, and Hawai'i Catholic Schools with support from the CDC, Hawai'i chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians, the Hawai'i Medical Reserve Corps, the University of Hawai'i Nursing Program, the Hawai'i Pacific University Nursing Program, UH-Hilo Nursing Program, Kaua'i Community College Nursing Program, Maui Community College Nursing Program, MedImmune, Sanofi Pasteur, Kaiser Permanente and the Hawai'i Medical Service Association.