DOH urges school-based flu vaccine program

The Florida State Surgeon General is encouraging local county health departments to work with their local school districts to create school-based voluntary seasonal flu vaccination programs.  The goal is to control the spread of the influenza virus and to protect public health by increasing seasonal flu vaccination rates among school-aged children. 

“Vaccination rates among school-aged children in Florida leave far too many children and their families at risk,” said State Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H.  “With approximately three million children enrolled in primary and secondary schools throughout Florida, schools are uniquely positioned to help address the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation to vaccinate all school-age children against influenza."

Vaccination programs in schools have shown both direct benefits to the immunized children and indirect benefits to the community, including less school missed due to flu.

The mission of the Florida Department of Health is to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida.  For more information about school-based vaccination programs, contact Franklin County Health Department- (850) 653-2111.