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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida organization is helping to provide free flu vaccinations to 200,000 students this school year.
Families Fighting Flu and Healthy Schools LLC will give children around the state the opportunity to get the nasal-inhaled vaccine whether or not they have insurance. The initiative started this month.
Flu rates among children are typically higher than other populations, and they tend to spread the virus more easily. Florida's flu vaccination rates are below the national average.
The groups say approximately 20,000 children nationwide are hospitalized and 100 children die due to influenza. Children also miss more than 38 million days of school each year because of the flu.
Healthy Schools was founded by former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli. Last year, the organization vaccinated 11,000 children.
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