• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Delaware Valley Public Health and Health Care Organizations Urge Public Support for CDC Flu Immunization Guidelines

Posted on: Monday, 3 October 2005, 15:00 CDT

As the region prepares for the upcoming flu season, the Delaware Valley's public health officials and representatives of health care organizations are gathering at the College of Physicians today to urge the public support of the recently released CDC guidelines for priority immunization of high-risk populations. These guidelines, which encourage seniors, children, those with chronic illness and health care workers receive vaccine before October 24, have been endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health.

"This is a regional appeal to the public based on the 'lessons learned' from last year's experience. We want to ensure that those most at risk receive first priority for our earliest supplies of vaccine and that after October 24, everyone will take advantage of supplies so that we have the most successful immunization rate ever," explained Andrew Wigglesworth, President of the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council." The press conference is also an opportunity to update the public on plans for flu immunization clinics throughout the area as well as highlight a new resource for locating those clinics via the www.phillyhealthinfo.org website.

"Philadelphia will launch its first flu immunization campaign on Friday, October 7 with a large-scale vaccination clinic at the Jewish Community Center in Northeast Philadelphia, a facility which can accommodate up to 1,000 individuals during one session," noted Joanne Godley, M.D., M.P.H., Acting Commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. On October 11, City Health Care Centers will begin immunizations to seniors age 65 and older, and adults age 19 and older with chronic health conditions at City Health Centers. "We are using this year's flu immunization period as an opportunity to hone our skills in providing large-scale, community-based vaccinations as part of our emergency-preparedness efforts," Dr. Godley noted.

Montgomery County, which has scheduled a number of immunization clinics in the coming weeks, is conducting the same exercise, commented Health Commissioner Dr. Joseph DiMino. "We have created several 'supersites' to accommodate large numbers of high-risk individuals, but we are also requiring proof of eligibility to comply with CDC guidelines," Dr. DiMino said.

"Individuals are encouraged to first seek an immunization at the office of their personal physician, and if not, to take advantage of a flu immunization clinic in their community," commented John Maher, M.D., Chester County Health Director, which has scheduled its own clinics in early and mid-October. Chester County residents are encouraged to call their local Health Department for an appointment.

"Clinics are scheduled throughout the Bucks County region during late October and November and are sponsored by our department and a partnership with area health facilities," noted Gordian V. Erlacher, Public Health Administrator/Acting Director for the Bucks County Department of Health Resources. Information and resources on clinics in Delaware County are being organized through the Delaware County Inter-Community Health, according to its Director, Maureen Hennessy Herman, Ed.D.

As clinic dates are arranged over the next several weeks, the public is encouraged to check www.phillyhealthinfo.org, a comprehensive, objective source of information on health topics, which will be featuring news and information about flu, including the locations of flu clinics in the Delaware Valley region. Access to the CDC guidelines as well as easy-to-understand information on flu is available at the site as well.

The Delaware Valley Healthcare Council (www.dvhc.org) is a membership association representing more than 150 healthcare organizations in Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and northern Delaware. Its mission is to assist member organizations to improve the health status of their communities and to exercise leadership in the appropriate restructuring of the regional healthcare delivery system through advocacy, information, and education in the public interest.

Philly Health Info (www.phillyhealthinfo.org) is a free, comprehensive and objective health information service for all residents of Greater Philadelphia. The centerpiece of Philly Health Info is a multifaceted Web portal, available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, providing access to the latest quality health and medical information, with an emphasis on regional resources and services. The Philly Health Info portal provides tools to expand the user's knowledge of health issues and make informed decisions about their medical care.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category