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School-Based Flu Clinics
Recognized for Innovation
in Immunization
Reno, NV (Feb. 24, 2011) - Sierra Vista, Alice Maxwell and Esther Bennett elementary schools will be recognized by the Northern Nevada Immunization Coalition at its 13th annual Silver Syringe Awards on Friday, Feb. 25.
The NNIC's annual awards event honors outstanding immunization programs and providers that work to protect the regional population from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. This winter, Sierra Vista, Maxwell and Bennett participated in a pilot program that immunized 1,419 elementary students, staff and parents at no cost to the individuals. With parental consent, students received flu shots or nasal doses of the vaccine to protect against the H1N1 virus that caused a number of illnesses during the previous flu season.
"These schools deserve to be recognized for all they do for their students," said NNIC director Heidi Hurst. "Their participation in our school-based flu clinic pilot project has paved the way for additional school-based clinics in 2011-12, allowing Washoe County students to stay healthy and in the classroom learning, instead of sick at home."
This innovative partnership was funded by a grant from the Nevada State Public Health Preparedness program in collaboration with the NNIC. Nurses from the Washoe County Health District and the Washoe County School District staffed each onsite clinic.
"I was excited about this potential concept," said Dana Balchunas, WCSD's director of Student Health Services. "It has been extraordinarily well-received and it has been very successful in terms of the percentage of our students participating. So, I think we now have a test pilot that would indicate we should continue to expand school programs on campuses. I want to work with community providers to expand our circle of protection by immunizing our children."
Also being recognized within the District is Margaret Clancy for the category of Outstanding Adolescent Immunization Program for her leadership as a clinical aide at Hug High School. Hug Principal Andy Kelly said Clancy's dedication to ensuring the school's students remain healthy has been phenomenal, adding
-more-
that her work with the Washoe County Health Department to run immunization clinics on campus has been valuable.
"We haven't had any kids excluded from receiving immunizations at Hug in the five years she's been employed as a clinical aide," Kelly said. "She's an amazing lady. She has been a lifetime supporter of kids in this neighborhood."
The Silver Syringe Awards take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 25 at The Grove at South Creek at 95 Foothill Road in Reno.
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