FARMINGTON — RSU 9 will offer free flu vaccine clinics to students and staff in late October and early November.

The vaccines are provided by the Maine Immunization Program, a division on the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Karen Marceau, a district nurse, said Friday.

There will be no cost to the families for student vaccines, she said.

The district is able to recoup some of the supply costs for students. A $5 charge can be submitted for supplies for students who have MaineCare, she said.

The state immunization registry is linked to identify students enrolled in MaineCare and will provide some reimbursement to cover costs of the vaccine administration, she said.

There will be no co-payments or other costs passed on to families, she said.

Vaccines are also provided free for the district’s staff.

The district has not received the vaccines so she doesn’t know what form they will come in. Marceau said she is hoping to get the nasal mist and shots. Some children cannot use the mist due to health reasons and will need a shot, she said.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the disease, Marceau said in a press release.

School vaccine clinics provide a convenient opportunity for more children to be vaccinated, which makes for safer and healthier school environments, she said.

Children who are vaccinated are much less likely to get the flu and miss school, she said.

Marceau said there are many advantages to having children to get vaccinated in a school-based clinic. Parents are not required to attend so they won’t miss work or have to arrange transportation. The clinics are held during the school day so children won’t miss classes or have to go to a private health provider.

A record of the vaccine will be entered into the state’s immunization registry and will be available for the children’s health care provider as needed.

Paperwork about the flu vaccine clinics recently were sent home with students. The completed Health Screen and Permission Form must be returned to the school for the student to receive a vaccine. If additional copies of the permission form are needed or if there are any questions, parents or guardians can contact the school’s nurse.

Copies of the vaccine information and permission form are also available online at www.mtbluersd.org.

If there are any questions about the flu or flu vaccine, people can contact their child’s medical provider, school nurse or the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention at www.maineflu.gov or at 1-800-867-4775.

Anticipated dates for vaccines are:

* Oct. 29, Academy Hill and Cushing schools in Wilton

* Oct. 30, Cape Cod Hill School in New Sharon

* Nov. 6, Mt. Blue High School in Farmington

* Nov. 7, Mt. Blue Middle School in Farmington

* Nov. 8, Mallett School in Farmington

* Nov. 13, Cascade Brook School in Farmington.

dperry@sunjournal.com