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June 17, 2008

Health Dept: R.I. tops for flu vaccination in older adults

Rhode Island commanded the nation's highest rate of influenza vaccination among people age 65 and older, the state Department of Health announced today.

The department issued a news release stating Rhode Island’s 2007 rate was 80 percent -- up 5 percent from the prior year -- according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics. The national influenza immunization average was 72 percent.

Dr. David R. Gifford, the state health director, in a statement touted the high rate of adult flu vaccination as attributable, at least in part, "to our innovative adult influenza immunization program, which began in October 2007."

Gifford said the immunization program partners health insurers, health care providers, and the Department of Health.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:23 PM | Permalink

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