2001

Buffalo, N.Y., Oct. 26, 2001 - The Kaleida Health VNA Immunization Campaign will start its 10th year of immunizing the community on Nov. 1. Kickoff ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 184 Goodell St.

Beginning that day, the annual immunization campaign which raises funds for charity home care, will offer flu and pneumonia shots in KeyBank locations, Wegmans stores, Quality Markets, and other community sites (malls, senior centers, churches, schools and fire halls).

Among those speaking at the kickoff event will be Gary Brice, Ed.D., Assistant Vice President, Kaleida Health Community Health and Wellness; Marsha Henderson, Buffalo District President, KeyBank, and Buffalo City Court Judge James A.W. McLeod. They will address the impact of the immunization campaign's decade-long history on the health of the community, as well as health care costs saved.

St. John Baptist hosts the first flu and pneumonia shot session open to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Nov. 1. A second session at St. John Baptist will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 17.

The Campaign is sponsored by KeyBank and supported by a number of community partners. The Kaleida Health Foundation administers the campaign.

The influenza vaccine is strongly recommended for: everyone age 65 or older, residents of long term care facilities, anyone with chronic health problems (especially those with diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease), anyone whose immune system is weakened due to disease or drug therapy, women past the third month of pregnancy, health care workers, family members and care givers in contact with persons at high risk for complications of the flu.

Not to be confused with the common cold, flu symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, cough, headache and sore throat. Symptoms generally last about a week or longer. You must get a flu shot each year because the viruses causing the flu change from year to year and the vaccine only provides protection for four to six months. This is also the reason why November and December are the ideal times to receive a flu shot.

It only takes about two weeks after receiving the shot to obtain full immunity and then protection extends into Spring. Flu shots will be offered into January.

Shots will be offered during nearly 500 clinic sessions at locations across five counties of WNY - Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany counties. The Kaleida Health VNA immunization campaign will not be at Tops this year.

For information on flu shot sites, call VNA-FLUU (862-3588) or go to the Kaleida Health VNA Immunization Campaign Site List at www.kaleidahealth.org.