Kaleida Health VNA Flu Immunization Campaign Begins November 1
BUFFALO, NY, Sept. 20 - The Kaleida Health VNA Flu Immunization Campaign will begin its ninth annual immunization program Nov. 1 with a target of 50,000 flu shots. Traditionally, the adult immunization program, which resulted in more than 31,000 immunizations last year and raised $125,000 to support charity home care services, starts Oct. 1. However, with the CDC's recent announcement of an expected delay in the distribution of influenza vaccine for 2000-2001, Kaleida will begin its program a month later. Thousands of people annually suffer from influenza or "the flu," and many elderly people die from it each year, prompting the Visiting Nursing Association to found the VNA Flu Prevention Campaign nearly a decade ago. Now known as the Kaleida Health VNA Flu Immunization Campaign, the program is sponsored by KeyBank. Flu shots will be administered at Tops Pharmacies, select KeyBank branch locations, Wegmans stores, other community sites and businesses throughout the eight counties. Immunizations will be available at a cost of $10, and many insurance providers cover the fee. Media sponsor for the 2000 campaign is Adelphia Cable. "The Kaleida Health VNA Flu Immunization Campaign is extremely important this year because of the risk of illness and possible death, particularly in older people, from effects of the flu," said Neal Friedman, M.D., Campaign Medical Spokesman and Kaleida Vice President, Medical Affairs / Medical Director, Quality Improvement & Evidence Based Practice. "The Kaleida campaign and others across the country are starting later this year. This has been the result of the manufacturing process and its efforts to produce enough vaccine against the types of influenza expected this year." Dr. Friedman continued, "Starting the campaign later really is a good strategy because immunity lasts four to six months. This should ensure that protection will last throughout the entire flu season." The flu vaccine normally is available to anyone 18 years and older. The Kaleida VNA Flu Immunization Campaign will follow up-to-date CDC guidelines at the time the program begins to determine the vaccine's first recipients. Currently, the CDC recommends those individuals at high risk for complications from influenza, particularly individuals ages 65 and older, and those with high-risk conditions in the 50 to 64 age group, should be vaccinated first. Persons at high risk for complications from influenza include:
Medicare will cover the cost of the vaccine for individuals with Part B coverage if they bring their Medicare card with them to the flu shot site. Other insurance providers which cover the cost include Independent Health Encompass 65, Blue Cross & Blue Shield Senior Blue and Univera Senior Choice. The mission of Kaleida's VNA Flu Immunization Campaign is to raise community awareness and provide access to immunizations for all who are eligible to receive them. Significantly, the other primary goal is to support charity home care. "The beauty of this campaign is that we create healthier communities two ways - by making available the immunization throughout Western New York and by raising charity dollars to help those who could not otherwise afford home care services," said Barbara Hole, CFRE, Executive Director, Millard/VNA Division of the Kaleida Family of Foundations. The Kaleida Health VNA Flu Immunization Campaign is pleased to welcome the support of these community partners in helping Kaleida raise awareness of the importance of adult immunizations. They are: Adelphia Cable, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association of WNY Inc., Erie 1 BOCES, Erie County Health Department, Erie County Health Department Disease Control, Healthy Community Alliance, Independent Health, Living Prime Time, Office of Community Health and Wellness - Kaleida Health, Tops Pharmacy, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, University at Buffalo School of Nursing, Wegmans and the WNY Public Health Coalition.
For dates and times of the flu shot site nearest you, call 862-3588 (VNA-FLUU),
or visit Kaleida Health's flu website at http://www.kaleidahealth.org/foundations.
Our toll-free quality assurance phone line for those outside the local calling area is 1-877-305-8083.
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