UF Emerging Pathogens Institute teams up with Alachua County Schools

A very cool thing our UF Emerging Pathogens Institute is helping out with is the free vaccination of preK-8 school children in Alachua County. Through grant monies, public and private school students are being offered FluMist, the vaccine against seasonal flu. It has been suggested that Flu-Mist may offer some level of protection against the novel H1N1 as well. Kids will still need to visit their doctor or the health clinic for the H1N1 vaccination, but the FluMist program is a wonderful public health intervention.

Our ICORE teachers heard Dr. Morris speak a bit about the vaccination program while at the ICORE summer institute. If flu can be minimized in children, it can be dramatically reduced in the community.

The FluMist campaign dates back a few years to UF's beloved Dr. Parker Small. He was the instigator of this project and has made it a major priority even in his retired years. He has even advocated for a similar program in Cape Cod where he now spends part of his time.

We have wonderful people at the University of Florida; combining research and community awareness can go a long way.

Stay healthy!