Only 34.7 percent of women and 29.3 percent of men in Virginia are up to date with a combination of select clinical preventive services, such as influenza vaccination, colorectal cancer screening and breast and cervical cancer screenings according to the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Thanks to a Health Aging grant from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Virginia is taking action this fall to improve delivery of clinical preventive services and offer seasonal flu vaccine through a national initiative titled “Vote & Vax” (www.voteandvax.org).
Vote & Vax Virginia 2012 builds on a decade of experience by Project Immunize Virginia by offering flu vaccines at polling locations in the following health districts: Central Shenandoah, Cumberland Plateau, Hampton, Peninsula, Prince William, and Richmond City. This year, pharmacist-staffed clinics located at polling sites will offer insurance billing and collect co-pays or out-of-pocket payment for vaccines.
In addition to vaccinations, activities such as education and referral for cancer and hypertension screening will be offered at each site by local coalitions. Led by volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps, these coalitions include area agencies on aging, nursing students, and other stakeholder groups, such as the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia, AARP Virginia, and the Baptist General Convention of Virginia.
By lending your time and skills to a local coalition, you can help protect your community from the flu and play a role in the delivery of important preventative health services. Please contact Joseph Hoyle, Clinical Preventive Services Coordinator, Virginia Department of Health at joseph.hoyle@vdh.virginia.gov for more information.
