Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – On July 1, 2013, the Alachua County CHOICES Advisory Board received recognition and a plaque for their participation in the FluMist program.  The recognition was presented by the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County Administrator, Paul Myers. 

At a Statewide Florida Department of Health meeting in Tampa on June 25, 2013, State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong recognized the County’s flu control efforts as a model that the rest of the State should consider. Evaluation of Alachua County’s model for statewide implementation is currently underway.

In 2010, the CHOICES Advisory Board recommended, and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved funding of the FluMist program.  The program has continued for four consecutive years, and funding from the BoCC will ensure the program continues for the next 15 years.

According to Paul Myers, “During one of the most severe flu seasons in 10 years, Alachua County had few outbreaks and only sporadic cases.”  He continued, “The Health Department attributes this minimization of influenza impact to the School Located Influenza Vaccination program where 61%-66% of elementary aged students were vaccinated.  This program is proving what the models from the University of Florida predicted; vaccinating kids can protect an entire community.  Additionally, it is more protective of the elderly to vaccinate 20% of kids than it is to vaccinate 90% of those over the age of 65.” 

Visit the Control Flu Alachua County website.

For more information, contact Alachua County CHOICES Program Manager, Sandra Barton at 352-264-6718 or smb@alachuacounty.us.