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8-Year-Old ``Flu Fighters'' Team With Health Officials in Urging Public to Get Flu Shots

Posted on: Thursday, 26 October 2006, 12:00 CDT

Today, a class of eight-year-old "flu fighters" teamed with health officials in urging the public to get vaccinated at immunization clinics opening this week and next across the region. The 2nd graders at Latona Avenue Elementary School, located north of Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles, received a flu lesson and engaged in a lively question-and-answer discussion with Kaiser Permanente Physician Frank Meza, MD.

Being the Halloween season, the intrepid youth were dressed as doctors, complete with stethoscopes and "vaccine" capsules (actually balloons). When a costumed "flu bug" entered the room, the flu fighters mobilized and wielded their vaccine-balloons to protect their teacher.

The symbolic event aimed to draw attention to the serious issue of influenza, a contagious disease, which each season kills about 36,000 individuals and hospitalizes up to 200,000 nationwide.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each fall. Influenza season can peak at any time from November through May, although it usually peaks in February. The best time to get the influenza vaccine is between late October and December in order to be protected throughout the entire flu season.

Because the flu can cause serious complications for certain people, a flu shot is especially important for the following groups:

All children 6 months to 5 years

Anyone 50 or older

Anyone with a chronic health condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, liver or kidney disease, sickle cell disease, cancer, alcoholism, persistent asthma, or immuno-suppression (including the early stages of HIV).

Anyone who does not have a spleen

Women who are pregnant during flu season

Health care workers

Anyone living with or caring for someone in one of these categories or with a child under 6 months

Teacher Letty Arciniega said, "This was a wonderful educational activity for the kids. They learned the basics about the flu. They learned that there are important community issues like this that require collective involvement and responsibility. We can all help each other stay healthy." And, she added with a smile, "I was tickled that my little flu fighters rescued me from that giant flu bug. Look at them in their cute physician outfits. Maybe some of them are on their way to becoming doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers one day."

Dr. Meza said he was thrilled to speak with the children. "The earlier people learn how to take care of themselves and develop healthy habits, the more likely they will maintain a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives," said the family physician, who is based at Kaiser Permanente Southern California's (KPSC) East Los Angeles Medical Office. "Because of today's interactive event, we're hoping these kids will take the message home to their siblings, parents, and grandparents. This is the intergenerational audience that we health officials aim to reach: the young, the middle-aged, and the elderly. All groups benefit from getting flu shots."

Underscoring the importance of collaboration in addressing influenza, KPSC was joined at the event by representatives from the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) Nursing Services unit and the Los Angeles County Public Health Department (LACPHD). LAUSD Board Member Monica Garcia, who represents the area, said, "Great things happen when people come together for a common cause. LAUSD is proud to partner with Kaiser Permanente and the Los Angeles County Public Health Department to ensure the health and well-being of children and families of this Greater Los Angeles."

More information on each organization's flu clinics can be obtained via the following:

LAUSD, for its students: parents should contact their child's school for specifics.

LACPHD, for the general public (including the uninsured): www.LAPublicHealth.org or call 211.

KPSC, for its members (with 3.2 million members, KPSC is one of the largest providers of vaccine in the region): www.kp.org/flu

Individuals should contact the appropriate clinics in their local communities for exact opening dates and times.

Other generic sources of information on flu clinics in Southern California can be found on websites such as www.FluClinicLocator.org and www.FindAFluShot.com.

Source: Business Wire

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