More than 60,000 elementary and middle school students were vaccinated against the flu during the state's "Protect Hawai'i's Keiki: Stop Flu at School" program conducted over the past several months, according to final numbers released by the state Department of Health.

More than 40 percent of eligible children in the state and about 9,000 teachers and staff members were vaccinated during the free program. About 600 school-based clinics were conducted at about 340 public and private schools across the state from October 2007 to January 2008.

Hawai'i was the first state to offer such a program. The $2.5 million program, which offered vaccines to Hawai'i students ages 5 to 13, was paid for primarily with money from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Getting the flu vaccine each year is our best protection against the flu," said Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino in a news release. "This was a great example of the state teaming with educators and healthcare providers to build a healthier community."

The school-based vaccination program was a partnership between the state departments of Health and Education, and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and Hawaii Catholic Schools.

The plan for next year's program is to again reach out to children ages 5 to 13, health officials said.