The Protecting Alachua County from Flu immunization program is gaining national recognition. The community partnership helped immunize 50% of Alachua County’s elementary and middle school students. Program Coordinator Cuc Tran says it’s important to focus on protecting this age group.
“Before it used to be immunize the elderly because they are usually the ones who die from flu, but kids are actually disseminators of flu, schools are virus exchange systems. When students get the flu they shed it for longer periods of time,” she says.
Tran says flu rates were lower in the county this year and they are hoping to secure steady funding to hold the program again next year. The program will be officially recognized nationwide on May 10th and serve as a model for future immunization programs.