Campaign Updates and Pictures
Two hundred and twenty three immunizations for the meningococcal meningitis disease were distributed in the two-day kick off for the END MENGITIS NOW Campaign. The Fitzgerald Rotary Club and the Ben Hill County Health Department partnered together with the Ben Hill County School System at the open house of the Ben Hill Middle School and the Fitzgerald High School on Tuesday September 7 to begin the process of eradicating the deadly meningitis disease from Ben Hill County. One hundred and ninety nine vaccinations were dispensed during the open houses with an additional 24 immunizations given at the CIS Back to School Celebration on Thursday September 9.
The two initial community immunizations for children ages 11-18 were touted as a huge success by Nurse manager Dale Niday of the Health Department and Gary Smith, Project Coordinator for the Rotary Club.
The success of the project was enhanced by the cooperation of superintendent Nancy Whidden, he principals, and school staff.
Helping to make the campaign a success were Rotarian volunteers Tim and Pam Hall, Art Anderson, Gary and Sue Smith, Amy Taylor, Betty Lynn Johnson, Josh Larkey, Mark Sutton, Lydia Mason, and Nancy Whidden. Health Department staff included Dale Niday (a Rotarian), Chris Naylor, Shauna Shealy, Michelle Carelock, Marie Harper.
Additional community immunization days are being planned, but the free vaccine is available Monday through Thursday at the Ben Hill County Health Department.
