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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