Graves begins drive to immunize Kansans
Last Modified:
1:27 a.m. 11/13/2001

By John Milburn
The Associated Press

Sporting a Bugs Bunny Band-Aid, Gov. Bill Graves was pronounced immunized Tuesday.

The governor rolled up his sleeve to give himself protection from the flu and to encourage Kansans to put their health first.

"That was painless," Graves said.

Members of the Kansas Immunization Action Coalition used a news conference to encourage Kansans to be proactive in preventing flu and other infectious diseases.

"Immunization is not just for kids," said Laura Sidlinger, a registered nurse and a coalition volunteer. "Immunizations are for a lifetime."

Sidlinger immunized Graves, Senate President Dave Kerr, Senate Majority Leader Lana Oleen and Health and Environment Secretary Clyde Graeber. Kerr received a major league baseball bandage; Oleen, one with Daffy Duck, and Graeber, one with crayons.

Graeber said all Kansans older than 65 and those in special risk categories should be vaccinated against flu, pneumonia and Hepatitis B. Currently, supplies at clinics and county health agencies are adequate to meet the demand.

KDHE worked with health care agencies to identify priority individuals for receiving flu shots, Graeber said. Now, the rest of the population is being encouraged to get their shots.

Efforts in the past decade to heighten awareness have paid off. Flu vaccination levels have increased from 30 percent in 1989 to 63 percent in 1997, Graeber said. In addition, every $1 spent on immunizing older adults can save $30 in health care costs.

"Immunizations are one of the great public health stories of the 20th Century," Graeber said. "They have made once common diseases, diseases of the past."

Graves, whose daughter Katie was immunized last week, said immunization is a matter that adults should take seriously for the health of themselves and others.

"I come in contact with literally thousands of Kansans during the winter months and flu season," Graves said. "This is something that I need to make sure that I'm healthy and able to perform my duties over the course of the upcoming, very difficult legislative session."

Updated @ 6:07 p.m.
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