Rio Arriba County holding health fairs for seniors
Posted at: 08/08/2012 4:06 PM
The New Mexico Department of Health, Rio Arriba County and several community organizations are kicking off an effort to get more senior citizens vaccinated for pneumonia, influenza and pertussis.
The first of 10 health fairs in the county is Wednesday in Espanola.
Pneumonia and influenza are major causes of illness and death among Hispanics, accounting for more than 3,000 hospitalizations and 240 deaths per year among New Mexicans age 65 and older.
Six vaccine clinics took place in Rio Arriba County in 2011, with 552 vaccines administered. Immunizations are one of the most effective public health tools for preventing and eradicating disease.
However, only a little more than a third of New Mexicans age 65 and older get pneumonia vaccines.
From 2007 to 2009, 76 percent of the deaths due to pneumonia and influenza were Hispanics age 65 and older.
Below is a list of Rio Arriba County Health Fairs: · August 8: Espanola – Rio Arriba Health Commons 9:00 am – 2:00 pm · August 31: Truchas – Truchas Senior Center · September 7: Chimayo – Chimayo Senior Center · September 14: Dixon – Dixon Senior Center · September 21: Espanola – Espanola Senior Center · September 28: Chama – Chama Senior Center · October 5: Tierra Amarilla – Tierra Amarilla Senior Center · October 12: El Rito – El Rito Senior Center · October 15: Alcalde – Alcalde Senior Center · October 19: Coyote – Coyote Senior Center
Seniors should check with their local senior centers for exact health fair times.
You can find out more information about adult vaccines by visiting here.
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