Press Releases
Year
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Offer Preservative-Free Flu Shots to Children Ages 6 Months to 18 Years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2007
Contact
Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health
(217) 531-4297 /
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Offer Preservative-Free Flu Shots to Children Ages 6 Months to 18 Years
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Recommends Flu Shots for ALL Children ages 6 Months to 5 Years to Minimize Disease Contraction Among High Risk Population
Champaign, IL – Beginning Monday, October 15, 2007, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be offering flu shots through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program. Flu shots will be available by appointment during standard CUPHD clinic hours – Monday, 8:00am – 4:00pm; Tuesday, 9:30am-5:30pm; Wednesday, 8:30am – 4:30pm; Thursday, 9:30am – 4:00pm; Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm. CUPHD currently has several hundred doses of the influenza vaccine, and appointments may be made by calling 217-531-4304. It should be noted that children younger than 9 years old will be required to receive 2 doses of the influenza vaccine in order to provide optimal protection. The second dose will be received in a follow-up visit one month from receiving the first dose, pending availability. The flu vaccine is not recommended for children under the age of 6 months.
Thanks to the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, flu shots and vaccines are free to all children who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid recipients, participants in All Kids, American Indian or Native Alaskan. CUPHD will charge a small administration fee of $6.00 for each dose which can be billed to Medicaid, some private insurance, or paid privately. Donations are welcome for those customers unable to pay the amount in full.
“Influenza is a serious, and sometimes life-threatening disease,” said Brandon Meline, Director of Maternal & Child Health Management for CUPHD. “Children are an especially high risk population, and complications stemming from exposure to influenza infections can have farreaching effects, especially for children suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and assorted immune suppression factors.”
It is estimated that more than 200,000 U.S. citizens are hospitalized each year due to influenza infections. Over 36,000 of these citizens are estimated to have died due to complications of the influenza infection. Immunization is an easy and effective way to keep everyone healthy and safe during flu season – make an appointment for you and your family members today!
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Maternal & Child Health Management Division offers a variety of services at the new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Services include, but are not limited to: Women, Infants & Children (WIC), Family Case Management / Healthworks, Teen Parent Services, Childhood Immunizations, Breastfeeding Support, Blood Lead Tests, and All Kids Applications.
For more information about these and other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-3527961 or visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Celebrates Healthy Smiles Week by Offering FREE School Dental Screenings for Illinois Children!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2007
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Celebrates Healthy Smiles Week by Offering FREE School Dental Screenings for Illinois Children!
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Partners with U of I Dental Students to Provide FREE Dental Screenings and Oral Education.
Champaign, IL – On Saturday, October 13, 2007, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will be providing FREE School Dental Screenings for Illinois school children at the Marketplace Mall in Champaign. These screening will be available from 10:00am – 6:00pm in the Marketplace Mall at the intersection of Macy’s, The Finish Line, and the Mall Food Court. Healthy Smiles, a group of dental students from the University of Illinois will be presenting a short entertaining children’s oral education presentation every hour from 11:00am – 5:00pm.
The simple 5 minute screening will be available for all children ages 3-18 that are still enrolled in school. This screening can be used to satisfy the State of Illinois mandated exam, due by May 15, 2008, required for all children in grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th. Children identified with dental issues will be referred to the CUPHD Dental Division, other partnering agencies, or their personal dentist for appropriate treatment. All participating children will receive a free toothbrush courtesy of IFLOSS. Appointments are not necessary; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany their child.
“Oral health is a good indicator of a child’s overall health,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “Many diseases and deficiencies can be readily identified through a routine oral health screening. Simple daily attention to oral health will produce a healthy body as well as a healthy smile!”
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division offers preventative and restorative procedures and simple extractions at their new location at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-531-4279. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center located in the Urbana High School. Appointments are available Monday thru Friday; 8:00am – 4:00pm by calling 217-239-4220.
For more information about this and other CUPHD programs and services, please call 217-3527961 or visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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Safe Kids Champaign County Asks for Help As Car Seat Program Faces Critical Funding Challenges
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2007
Contact
Susan Butler, Coordinator / Health Educator – Safe Kids Champaign County / CUPHD
(217) 531-4268
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Safe Kids Champaign County Asks for Help As Car Seat Program Faces Critical Funding Challenges
Safe Kids Champaign County Partners with Toys R Us for Give-A-Seat for Safety Program – New Car Seat Donation Drive
Champaign, IL – Safe Kids Champaign County has partnered with Toys R Us to help provide low-income families with new car seats. Safe Kids Champaign County will be holding their annual new car seat drive on Saturday, October 13, 2007 from 9:00am – 1:00pm in the Toys R Us parking lot located at 40 East Anthony Drive in Champaign. Safe Kids Champaign County will be accepting all NEW car seats including Infant, Convertible, Combination and Booster. No used seats will be accepted.
Safe Kids Champaign County in collaboration with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) currently provides a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station at the Provena Pro Ambulance Center on 408 South Neil Street in Champaign twice a week.
This program provides free inspections and education on Child Passenger Safety to over 1800 Champaign County residents per year, and distributed 692 car seats to low-income families last year alone. The increased demands and costs of the inspection station are placing a strain on existing funding and require community assistance to maintain the current levels of service.
The mission of Safe Kids Champaign County is to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children ages 14 and under. Vehicle Safety is the major contributor to these injuries. Many children in Champaign County were the victims of an accidental childhood injury involving a vehicle last year. Most of these children survived these injuries due in part to Child Passenger Safety regulations. Safe Kids Champaign County checked 1167 car seats last year and found that the average misuse rate in Champaign County to be 86%.
“Parents are very concerned about the welfare of their children. No one wants their child to be placed in a potentially hazardous position, but modern car seats can be complicated and parents are encouraged to have their seats inspected and adjusted by professionals.” said Susan Butler, Coordinator and Health Educator at Safe Kids Champaign County/CUPHD. “The technicians and volunteers at our Child Safety Seat Inspection Station receive 32 hours of training to receive certification, and are required to be recertified every two years.”
For more information about Safe Kids Champaign County programs and services, and how you can donate to the Car Seat Program, visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org/ccsafekids or call (217) 531-4268.
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