Foundation grant to help protect students against seasonal flu
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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Posted by: Audrey Ache
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2009
Foundation grant to help protect students against seasonal flu
Area students will stay healthy and ready to learn, thanks to a recent grant from The Community Foundation. The $7,950 grant to the LSUHSC Department of Pediatrics will be used to provide free flu vaccinations for students in Caddo and Bossier Parishes in partnership with the state Department of Health and Hospitals and local school boards. . The project will ensure the availability of the vaccine to 70,000 children. Even if only 20 percent of those students are vaccinated, significant protection against the spread of seasonal flu will be achieved. Research has shown that immunizing children is an effective way to prevent absenteeism during flu outbreaks and minimize the spread of influenza to family members.
Last year flu vaccines were provided to Caddo Parish students with measurable success, motivating the push to expand the program this season amid concerns about an influenza outbreak. With the vaccinations administered at school sites, parents do not have to miss work and students do not have to miss class to take advantage of this important service. Last year’s effort proved that the goal can be met with no significant interruption to normal school activities.
According to Dr. Joseph Bocchini, professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at LSU Health Sciences Center, influenza immunization is an annual requirement. Unfortunately, many children and adults do not receive the vaccinations, leaving them highly vulnerable to serious illness.
The Community Foundation is a public resource for community philanthropy where donors can connect resources to critical needs, grow charitable dollars, receive tax benefits and establish a permanent presence for good. The Foundation donates close to $3 million annually to strengthen the quality of life in our community.
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For more information, please contact:
Paula Hickman Executive Director The Community Foundation (318) 221-0582 hickman@nlacf.org
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