Five hundred people participated in Extension influenza educational programs. County teams reported partnerships as an effective and efficient way to promote and to increase influenza immunizations. Clinics are held three times monthly at times designed to be easily accessible to families. The free clinics are available on a walk-in basis to children in any family, regardless of place of residence. Cooperative Extension s contribution to this program includes providing and training three to six volunteers at each clinic to help with the registration and screening process for children.
Volunteers primarily come from local homemaker groups.
A total of sixteen clubs share the responsibility for clinics throughout the year. This cooperative effort reaches beyond the bounds of those who sponsor the clinics. Area physicians are extremely supportive of the clinic and most refer youth to the clinic for routine vaccinations instead of providing them at doctors offices. 1620 children received a total of 3682 immunizations at the Gage County Immunization Clinic since January, 2000. This is particularly significant because many family health insurance policies don t cover immunizations.