City of Indianapolis, Marion County Public Health Department join with partners to announce “Sleeve Up Indy” flu shot campaign
Published on 05 October 2020 00:00
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2020
Leaders highlight the importance of flu shots in minority populations amid COVID-19 pandemic
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marion County Public Health Department joined the City of Indianapolis, as well as partners from the Consulate of Mexico in Indianapolis and Eskenazi Health’s Window of Health (Ventanilla de Salud) program, to announce the “Sleeve Up Indy” campaign aimed at increasing flu vaccination rates during COVID-19.
“It takes a united front of many entities to promote public health in our community,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “We’re proud to join our partners in the effort to carry out an equitable response to the pandemic, especially as the Latinx community has faced disproportionate levels of infection. We ask that all residents get their flu shot now to free up vital health infrastructure to focus on COVID-19.”
The new “Sleeve Up Indy” campaign is part of a 3-step plan by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to minimize the impact of COVID-19 and the flu virus during the same season: Mask Up, Lather Up, Sleeve Up.
While also promoting to the importance of wearing a face covering and washing hands frequently to reduce the spread of flu and COVID-19, the campaign highlights the need for everyone age 6 months and older to get a flu shot.
Reducing the spread of the flu is a top priority during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“A person’s respiratory or immune system could become overwhelmed if they are infected with flu and COVID-19 at the same time, especially someone in a high-risk group or over age 65,” said Dr. Caine. “Also, healthcare resources can be stretched significantly during a typical flu season. Protecting against the flu in our community will allow these resources to be readily available to handle any potential surge in COVID-19 cases.”
Data shows that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the Black and Latino communities in Marion County, where residents are also less likely to receive a flu vaccine, putting them at higher risk of contracting both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. This could lead to an increased risk of illness, hospitalization, and possibly death.
“Because of COVID-19, this message is so greatly needed in the immigrant and Latino community,” said Daniel Aguado, deputy consul for the Consulate of Mexico in Indianapolis. “Providing access to resources, such as flu shots and valuable information on these viruses in other languages besides English, can have a positive impact on the health of Latinos and immigrants that are part of the community.”
The Consulate of Mexico in Indianapolis partners with Eskenazi Health to offer the Window of Health (Ventanilla de Salud) program, offering preventative education and other health-related services including flu shot clinics.
“We are delighted to join with these partners and unite in a common message about the critical need for flu shots,” said Gabriela Constant, coordinator of the Eskenazi Health Window of Health (Ventanilla de Salud) program. “As part of this announcement, a flu shot clinic was offered by the Marion County Public Health Department at the Consulate of Mexico to help protect the health of residents it serves. We look forward to sharing ways for everyone to help reduce the spread of flu and COVID-19.”
Face coverings and hand sanitizer were given to those who received a flu shot at today’s clinic.
The Marion County Public Health Department is hosting weekly flu shot clinics in October at its three main district health office locations by appointment only, in addition to special flu shot clinics offered on a walk-in basis.
To learn more about the flu shot clinics offered by the Marion County Public Health Department, please visit MarionHealth.org/immunize. Flu shots are $20 for adults and for children age 2-18. Kids under the age of 2 are free.
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