About Us
Project L.O.V.E. (Love Our Kids…Vaccinate Early!) was formed in 1993 in response to studies which revealed that less than half of the children in Franklin County were appropriately immunized by age 2. The problem extended across all areas of our community, regardless of income and neighborhood.
When Project L.O.V.E. began, local immunization rates were estimated to be at 40 percent and have since improved to 86.4 percent. Franklin County was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2006 for having the highest urban immunization rate in the country.
Immunizations are one of the easiest, most important and cost-effective ways parents can protect their children from 11 potentially life-threatening diseases such as measles, mumps and whooping cough. Although federal law requires all children to be fully immunized before entering school, typically at age 5, the standard immunization schedule calls for a series of vaccinations to be completed before age 2. The goal for the Project is a 90 percent immunization rate in Franklin County. Until this goal is met and maintained, all of our children are at risk from these preventable diseases.
When Project L.O.V.E. began, local immunization rates were estimated to be at 40 percent and have since improved to 86.4 percent. Franklin County was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2006 for having the highest urban immunization rate in the country.
Immunizations are one of the easiest, most important and cost-effective ways parents can protect their children from 11 potentially life-threatening diseases such as measles, mumps and whooping cough. Although federal law requires all children to be fully immunized before entering school, typically at age 5, the standard immunization schedule calls for a series of vaccinations to be completed before age 2. The goal for the Project is a 90 percent immunization rate in Franklin County. Until this goal is met and maintained, all of our children are at risk from these preventable diseases.
Achieving a 90 percent rate of immunization among 2-year-olds means motivating those populations who face the greatest number of obstacles in obtaining preventive health care.
Over the past six years, Project L.O.V.E. has focused on immunization awareness, promotion, accessibility and availability through strategies utilizing the media, partnerships and collateral materials.
As the Project continues to move forward, it will focus on the need to conquer hard-to-reach areas, where immunizations are perceived as the last item on a long list of basic necessities, such as food and housing for the individuals.
In addition, Project L.O.V.E. will position itself to:
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Market Ohio's immunization registry (IMPACT SIIS) among central Ohio physicians in order to establish a centralized source of individual immunization records across the county and state.
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Educate parents and providers on the latest information and the need for immunizations.
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Help link Central Ohio children to a "medical home".
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Project L.O.V.E. will strive to achieve these goals through a series of tactics designed to address the specific problems and barriers facing each of its audiences.
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Maintain current immunization levels throughout the general population of Franklin County.
A true community partnership, the Project is a collaboration among area hospitals, local health departments, Franklin County Commissioners, businesses, physicians and community volunteers and is housed at Columbus Public Health. It represents an unprecedented public/private partnership, with Franklin County receiving national recognition for its collaborative efforts and achievements. Upon this foundation, and through increasing participation of the entire community, Project L.O.V.E. will evolve and broaden in scope to ensure the health and well-being of our community’s children.