A local hospital is trying to prevent the flu from spreading in the Quad Cities this fall, by targeting elementary schools. Starting today, Genesis will give flu vaccines to 9,000 children, for its 10th annual Flu-Free Quad Cities Campaign.
Spokesman, Craig Cooper, says the campaign started in 2007, when Genesis decided to focus on vaccinating the most effective carriers of the flu. And that's children.
In the past 10 years, Genesis has given 65,000 children free flu shots.
Cooper says it's hard to measure the difference the campaign has made throughout the community. But, several schools, like Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic School in Davenport, report fewer student absences.
Cooper says Genesis will only offer flu shots this year, which is considered 63% effective, and not the flu mist, which is only 3% effective.
Genesis plans to offer flu vaccinations at 90 different elementary schools this month. Cooper says about half of the parents at each school choose to have their child vaccinated.