2001

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 12 - Organizers of the ninth annual Kaleida Health VNA Flu Immunization Campaign announced the results of its best campaign to date - both in numbers of Western New Yorkers vaccinated during a season of challenges, and in the proceeds, which benefited charity home care in the community.

"Visiting Nursing Association nurses gave a total of 38,833 flu shots at sites across Western New York, including Tops, select KeyBank locations, and in Wegmans stores," said Barbara Hole, executive director of the Kaleida Health Foundation. The number represents an increase of 8,000 individuals vaccinated over the number immunized in 1999.

Equally significant is that $160,000 in net proceeds was generated from the immunization campaign and will benefit charity care for those patients who could not otherwise afford home care. Kaleida Home Care, composed of VNA and Advanced Home Care, is the largest home care organization in Western New York.

Proceeds from the 2000 campaign totaled $35,000 more than in 1999.

Neal Friedman, M.D., Kaleida Health Vice President, Medical Affairs, and Campaign Spokesperson, commenting on the nearly 39,000 vaccinations administered, noted, "The fact that this large number of vaccinations was able to be done in the face of this year's challenges is remarkable. It truly shows that our campaign was able to respond once the vaccine was available."

The campaign began Nov. 1, 2000, one month later than is traditional because of recommendations for a later start date from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After administering 14,000 shots in its first four days to those individuals at high risk for the flu according to CDC guidelines, the campaign was postponed at its community partner sites, Tops Pharmacies, KeyBank and Wegmans stores, from Nov. 5 until Dec. 10.

The campaign then resumed in retail outlets and other community sites through January, after Kaleida and the VNA received its full shipment of vaccine. Delay in vaccine production because of difficulties in manufacturing was a problem for health care organizations locally and nationally.

John Friedlander, Kaleida Health President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our success this year is in large part because of the teamwork displayed by our sponsor, KeyBank, and all of our community partners including Tops, Wegmans, Adelphia and the University at Buffalo School of Nursing and others."

Marsha Henderson, President, Western New York District, KeyBank, and 2000 Campaign Sponsor, said, "We are pleased once again to be part of this effort which not only strives to directly and positively impact the health of Western New York, but also comes to the aid of those in need of home health care. The results clearly show that prevention is the key, as our slogan indicates."

Other community partners include the American Diabetes Association, the American Lung Association of WNY Inc., the Erie County Commissioner of Health, the County Health Department of Disease Control, the Healthy Community Alliance, Independent Health, Living Prime Time, the Kaleida Health Office of Community Health and Wellness, the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and the WNY Public Health Coalition.