More than 6,000 of Miami-Dade County’s most vulnerable seniors received free or reimbursable vaccinations during the recent flu season through a Senior Immunization Project organized and funded by Health Foundation of South Florida. Now in its second year, the project has provided nearly 10,000 vaccinations for underserved seniors residing in Miami-Dade County.

Linda Albee (left), Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers with Health Foundation of South Florida Board member Karen Gilmore

“The decision to commit approximately $500,000 to the Project these past two years advances Health Foundation’s mission to help eliminate basic barriers that prevent underserved or uninsured members of community from gaining access to services and programs that can have a positive effect on their health,” said Health Foundation Chairman Richard Adams. He added, “Extensive community outreach and outstanding efforts by our partners led to the Project’s success.”

Health Foundation’s partners in the Senior Immunization Project were Health Choice Network, Broward Family Health Center, Economic Opportunity Family Health Center, Camillus Health Concern, Citrus Health Center, Helen B. Bentley Health Center, the Miami Beach Community Health Center, Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers, Maxim Healthcare Services, Miami-Dade County Housing Agency, Haley-Sofgee Towers, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, Nanay Community Center and Nanay Health Center and the San Juan Bosco Clinic.

(l to r) Peter Wood, Health Foundation of South Florida’s Vice President of Programs; Vanessa Rodriguez, Alliance for Aging; Margarita Ollet, Health Choice Network; Marilyn Santiestban, Jewish Community Services of South Florida and Steven Marcus, Ed.D. President & Ceo of Health Foundation of South Florida.

With the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that rates of serious illness and death from influenza are highest among persons aged 65 and over, plans to expand the Senior Immunization Project are underway by Health Foundation of South Florida. At a breakfast meeting held recently in Miami to celebrate last season’s success, partners in the project are ready to renew their efforts for the 2005-06 flu season. Agencies interested in joining this effort should call the Foundation at (305) 374-7200.