The flu is in full attack, causing Missouri schools to suffer devastating drops in attendance. 

Some state legislators believe the key to eliminating large flu outbreaks in the future is to require flu vaccinations in schools.

"Its a good idea for parents to have their children immunized and I as a legislator feel like its worth us looking into it as a state, on a state level, to see if any state legislation is necessary," Sen. Harry Kennedy said.

But some health professionals say the idea may cause more harm than good.

"Manpower for doing something like that, vaccine costs, who's gonna be paying for that? Time, supplies, syringes and things like that," nurse Susan Long said.

Representatives from the Cole County Health Department say that although elderly and toddlers face the most risk for the flu, people ages 5-to-25 are most likely to spread the virus.

The flu vaccine costs between 20 and 25 dollars for children at the health department.

"You know if parents have multiple children, that's gonna be quite a cost," Long said.

Sen. Kennedy has not written any official legislation, but says it's an important issue for the coming years. He also says he's not supporting any bills requiring flu vaccinations this year.