Navicent Health, Community Partners Provide Flu Shots for Homeless

Atrium Health Navicent, Community Partners Provide Flu Shots for Homeless

Navicent to Provide Vaccinations for Daybreak Participants

MACON, GA (Wednesday, November 19, 2014) – Medical Center, Navicent Health (MCNH) – along with community partners including Mercer University (MU) and Georgia College & State University (GCSU) – will provide influenza vaccinations for participants in Daybreak, a project of DePaul USA.

MCNH will donate up to 300 vaccines to immunize homeless individuals who participate in Daybreak's services.

“Studies have shown that the homeless often deal with respiratory issues. By working with Daybreak's clinic to immunize this population against the flu, we are providing a preventative service and vaccinating a population that would likely not receive the flu vaccine,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Atrium Health Navicent.

While Daybreak operates a primary care clinic staffed with nurse practitioners, immunization certified students from MU and GCSU will also volunteer to administer the vaccinations. Homeless individuals who have visited Daybreak's primary care clinic or participated in other Daybreak services will be able to receive the flu vaccination at no charge

“We are very excited and grateful to partner with Atrium Health Navicent to provide flu shots for the participants at Daybreak. This assistance provides one more access point for vulnerable individuals to be immunized. Anything we can do to help prevent illness helps the entire community,” said Sr. Elizabeth Greim, DC   Director, Daybreak, a project of Depaul USA, Inc.