Who: Pasco County public schools, the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, and Healthy Schools, LLC
What: “Teach Flu a Lesson" child immunization program
When: Wednesday, October 4, through Thursday, October 12
Where: Participating Pasco County public schools
Why: To fight influenza by offering students free immunizations.
How: Once again, flu immunizations will be administered by Healthy Schools nurses free of charge to students with parental consent in every participating Pasco County public school. This program is voluntary and only children with consent forms signed and completed by a parent or guardian will be vaccinated. Forms are available by clicking on the flu vaccine banner on the district website, www.pascoschools.org. There also is a vaccination schedule link on that page.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age six months and older receive a yearly flu vaccine. Bringing flu vaccines into schools has proven to be an effective way to increase the vaccination rates for children in Florida.
➢ Each year in the U.S. an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized for flu-related complications.
➢ Children with chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes have an extremely high risk of developing serious flu-related complications.
➢ Children are more likely to get the flu or have flu-related complications because their immune systems are still developing.
➢ Schools tend to serve as incubators of influenza in each community.
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