Discover how Control Flu has grown into Alachua County's most trusted school-based public health initiative — and why flu vaccination in schools matters more than ever.
Control Flu was founded on a simple but powerful idea: the best place to stop the flu from spreading through a community is at its source — the school. By bringing free influenza vaccinations directly to students during the school day, we remove barriers, reduce absenteeism, and protect entire households.
Our program serves public and participating private schools throughout Alachua County, providing a free, safe, and effective flu vaccine to every eligible pre-K through 12th grade student — no appointments, no out-of-pocket costs, and no disruption to the learning day.
Get InvolvedTo reduce influenza transmission in Alachua County schools and protect the broader community through accessible, school-based vaccination.
A county where every student, family, and community member is protected from the annual flu threat — regardless of income, insurance, or access to healthcare.
Equity, accessibility, community partnership, evidence-based practice, and compassionate public health service.
All public schools and participating private schools throughout Alachua County, Florida — reaching students from every zip code and background.
Knowledge is the first step to prevention. Here's what every parent, student, and educator should know about the flu.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A and B viruses. It can infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Symptoms typically come on suddenly: fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children).
Flu viruses spread mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of nearby people. Less often, a person can get flu by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their face.
Children can be contagious for longer than adults — often for 10 or more days after becoming ill. Schools create dense social environments where the virus transmits easily. Studies show school-age children are often the first in a community to be infected each season.
A single flu season can cause schools to lose thousands of instructional days. Class sizes thin out, teachers fall ill, and extracurricular activities are cancelled. The economic impact on working parents forced to stay home with sick children is also substantial.
While most healthy people recover from flu in a few days to less than two weeks, some may develop serious complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions like asthma and heart disease.
Annual flu vaccination remains the single most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated every season. Vaccinating children specifically helps protect the entire community through herd immunity.
From a small pilot program to a county-wide public health initiative — our journey to protect Alachua County students.
The Control Flu program is established as a pilot School-Located Influenza Vaccination (SLIV) initiative in Alachua County, partnering with a small number of elementary schools to test the school-based vaccination model.
Responding to strong community demand and positive outcomes, Control Flu expands its reach to include middle schools and additional elementary schools throughout the county. Thousands of students receive free vaccinations for the first time.
Control Flu introduces FluMist® — the needle-free nasal spray vaccine — as an option for eligible students. Vaccination rates increase significantly, particularly among younger students who previously opted out due to fear of needles.
The program achieves full pre-K through 12th grade coverage, partnering with all public high schools in Alachua County. Private school partnerships are formalized, extending protection to more students and families.
Control Flu now vaccinates over 12,000 students annually across 60+ schools. The program has become a model for school-located influenza vaccination across the state of Florida, recognized for its impact on community health outcomes.
Everything you need to know about the needle-free influenza vaccine available through Control Flu.
FluMist Quadrivalent is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) administered as a nasal spray. It contains weakened flu viruses that stimulate the body's immune response without causing illness. The vaccine is designed to replicate in the cooler temperatures of the nasal passages, not the warmer environment of the lungs.
By introducing a modified form of the virus through the nose — the same route real influenza enters the body — FluMist may trigger a more natural, robust immune response that includes both systemic and mucosal immunity.
FluMist is approved for individuals aged 2 through 49 years who are not pregnant and do not have certain medical conditions. Our medical coordinators will screen each student for eligibility prior to administration. Students who are not eligible for FluMist may receive the traditional inactivated flu shot instead.
| Feature | FluMist® | Flu Shot |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | Nasal spray | Injection |
| Needle-free | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Pain / Discomfort | Minimal | Mild soreness |
| Age Range | 2–49 years | 6+ months |
| Flu Strains Covered | 4 strains | 4 strains |
| Effectiveness | Clinically comparable | Well-established |
| Recommended for Kids | ✓ Preferred option | ✓ Also available |
Complete the consent form to enroll your student in Control Flu's free school vaccination program.