The Anchorage School District so far has provided free flu vaccines to almost 7,000 students in about half of its schools.

Health experts estimate that for every child who gets the flu, six other children are infected.

District nursing director Nancy Edtl says parents must first give permission for their children to be vaccinated and then it is up to school nurses to administer the shots.

The Anchorage Daily News says flu shots have been available at 47 of the district's 97 school so far. Most of these schools are elementary schools.

The district will continue to vaccinate young people until the Christmas break.