The Delaware General Health District is notifying parents of students participating in Big Walnut, Buckeye Valley and Olentangy local school districts’ flu clinics that due to a national FluMist shortage the health district will only be giving nasal spray vaccine — while supplies last — to elementary students.

Middle and high school students will receive the flu vaccine in shot form, officials said.

At this time, the health district is unsure when more nasal spray vaccine will become available, therefore parents are advised to not wait to vaccinate. Health officials said parents should not worry because the injectable form of the flu vaccine is just as safe and effective as the nasal spray.

If a parent/guardian does not want their child who previously signed up for the nasal mist to get the flu shot at all, they are asked to call the district’s flu clinic message line at 740-203-2012 and remove their child’s name from the list.

If a parent/guardian approves of their child getting the shot instead of the nasal spray, they do not need to call the health district, officials said.

If a parent/guardian has a question regarding the nasal spray vs. the shot, they are asked to speak with a public health nurse at 740-203-2086.

For regular DGHD clinics, the health district will only be giving flu vaccine in shot form until the nasal form becomes available again, officials said.

For more details, visit DelawareHealth.org and look under “Featured Links.”