CAMS/CAIPA Community Service Fund Donate Flu Shots:           (中文版)

On Thursday, October 9, 2008, the Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS), Chinese American Independent Practice Association (CAIPA), Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC), New York Downtown Hospital (NYDH) and SUNY Downstate Medical Center - School of Medicine's CAMS Club will have a joint press conference.  The purpose of the conference is to advise the public to get the influenza vaccination (also known as the flu shot) and to promote awareness of good personal hygiene for the upcoming flu season.

CAIPA's President, Dr. George Liu, said that CAIPA's members are happy to support the donation of 750 doses of influenza vaccine to CBWCHC, NYDH and SUNY Downstate Medical Center - School of Medicine's CAMS Club to provide vaccinations at no cost for uninsured community members through the CAMS/CAIPA Community Service Fund.

Dr. George Liu also provides the following discussion points and tips for Chinese community members to reduce their chance of infection or spread of the flu, and they are as follows:

1. What is the flu?
2. What are some of the flu symptoms?
3. What are some complications from flu?
4. Who should receive the vaccine?

Dr. Wilson Ko, President of CAMS commented that this annual Free Flu Vaccine program for the Chinese Americans living in New York exemplifies the cooperation of the three important organizations, namely Charles B Wang Chinatown Health Clinic, Chinese American Independent Physician Association, and Chinese American Medical Society.  These "Big Three" represent the commitment of the large community of Chinese American physicians in serving the private sector, the indigent, the newly arrived immigrants, and the educational and academic needs of our blossoming Chinese American population in New York.  The current leadership expects to serve much more going forward.

Dr. Perry Pong, the interim Chief Medical Officer of CBWCHC, cited statistics for the US from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that only 36% of people 50-64 and 66% of people 65 and older received the flu shot last year.  Each year on average, more than 226,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from complications of the flu.  Among adults, people with chronic illnesses or seniors aged 65 and older have the highest risk of complications and should be the first to get the vaccine.  However, everyone over age 50, children aged 6 months to 18 years old, pregnant women, health care workers or anyone working or living with the elderly or young children should be vaccinated for their own and their family's protection.

Besides the flu vaccine, Dr. Pong provides the following tips to reduce your chance of infection or spread of the flu: use a tissue when sneezing or coughing to avoid spreading germs into the air; wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after public contact to avoid spreading germs from your hands to your nose or mouth and stay home if ill to avoid spreading the illness to others.

Mr. William Wang from NYDH and Executive Director of the Chinese Community Partnership for Health said, "I would like to thank CAMS and CAIPA for their continued funding and support to the over 50 years old and uninsured Chinese community members.  For the uninsured, getting a flu shot is very important for the upcoming flu season.  We are honored to be a part of this project."

Two of the events have already passed, but for people who are interested in getting the flu shot, there will be seven more events.  Bennett Chan of SUNY Downstate Medical Center's CAMS Club said that flu vaccinations will take place at the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association's Senior Center on Saturday, October 11th from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  The address is 5010 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220, and is located on the corner of 8th Avenue and 50th Street.  Vaccinations will be provided to a total of 150 patients.  No appointments will be necessary.

Mr. Wang announced that NYDH's will have an event on Sunday October 19, 2008 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at CCBA, 62 Mott Street in Chinatown, and on Monday October 20, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Fukien American Association, 125 East Broadway in Chinatown.  No appointments will be necessary for either of these events.

Dr. Pong announced that on Saturday October 25 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, CWBCHC will have a free flu shot outreach event at 136-26 37th Avenue, Flushing, and on Sunday, November 2 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at 268 Canal Street in Chinatown.  To be eligible for the event, participants must be at least 50 years old, or under 50 years old and have a chronic health condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.  Eligible participants must bring to the flu shot event verification of their age (Medicare card, driver's license or passport) and/or chronic disease documentation (doctor notes or current medication labels/bottles).  You must register to participate in this event.

CBWCHC will also be staffing free flu shot outreach Tuesday October 14 at the Indochina Sino American Community Center, 169 Forsyth Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY.  You must also register for this event.

For registration and further information, please call the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, Health Education Department at 212-966-0461.  Pre-registration is a must for the October 25th and November 2nd free flu shot events.  Please call 212-966-0461 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.