For Immediate Release:

Flu Vaccines Made Accessible to WCSD Students through Community Partnerships

Reno, Nev. (Nov. 5, 2018) – For the ninth consecutive year, Washoe County students and staff will receive flu vaccine as part of a collaborative partnership between Immunize Nevada and the Washoe County Health District (WCHD). Thanks to the generous support of Renown Health and the federally funded Vaccines for Children Program, students can receive the flu vaccine at no cost. These clinics were developed in order to keep Washoe students healthy and in school during flu season.

“Through Renown’s generous grant, we are able to collaborate with our partners and bring health services directly to students and families,” said Immunize Nevada Executive Director Heidi Parker. “Increasing access to immunizations is part of our daily work,” said Parker. “It’s so exciting when community organizations come together to ensure the health and well-being of the littlest Nevadans.”

During the 2017-2018 flu season, 1,089 students and school staff received the flu vaccine at 15 Washoe County schools during a five month period. This year, 20 schools across the Washoe County School District, including these upcoming clinics:

• Pine Middle School - November 7
• Smithridge Elementary School - November 8
• Alice Smith Elementary School – November 9
• Echo Loder Elementary School – November 13
• Duncan Elementary School - November 14
• Katherine Dunn Elementary School –November 15
• Risley Elementary School – November 20
• Bernice Mathews Elementary School – December 4
• Jerry Whitehead Elementary School – December 5
• Palmer Elementary School - December 6
• Stead Elementary School – December 7
• Maxwell Elementary School - December 11
• Bennett Elementary School- December 12
• Libby Booth Elementary School – December 13
• Roger Corbett Elementary School – December 18
• Rita Cannan Elementary School – January 23

The clinics are a direct result from the first piloted clinic hosted in 2009. Immunize Nevada and its partners will continue this collaborative work into the 2018-2019 school year, ultimately increasing our state’s immunization rates, connecting our community members to needed resources, and improving our state’s overall health. The flu vaccine is the best method for preventing influenza. It can also reduce a child’s chance of developing flu-related illnesses, hospitalization, and death.

For more information about influenza, vaccines, provider education, and the latest news about preventative health, follow Immunize Nevada on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Or visit www.immunizenevada.org for more information.

Immunize Nevada is widely recognized as Nevada’s trusted resource for immunizations and community health for all ages by fostering education and statewide collaboration. Immunize Nevada’s vision is healthy communities across Nevada protected from vaccine-preventable disease. For more information, visit ImmunizeNevada.org.
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