Campaigns
Vaccines Are Not the Cause of Autism Campaign
October 2009
Project L.O.V.E. placed an ad in the NBC4 Autism Puzzle Publication dispelling the myth that vaccines are the cause of autism. In a letter from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) dated August 2009 they stated, "While it is likely that there are many environmental factors that influence the development of autism, vaccines are not the cause of autism." To view the entire letter from AAP please click here. To view Project L.O.V.E.'s ad please click here.
Project L.O.V.E. understands that autism and autism spectrum disorders place a heavy burden on many families. We support research to better understand the causes of autism and to develop more effective treatments.
Back to School Campaign 2009
- Make sure your children's shot records are up-to-date!
- If they aren't make an appointment with your doctor well before school starts. If you wait, your doctor may not be able to see your child and you may have to wait much longer at a public health clinic.
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If your doctor can not see you, see the Clinic Information to the right for locations and times.
On-going Campaign
Project L.O.V.E. was created after physicians and other immunization experts realized that the Franklin County immunization rate for 2 year olds was below 40%. "It came as a surprise," said one physician thinking she and others were doing a much better job in their practices.
After 14 years and over 40 organizations promoting the importance of immunizing before age 2 to physicians, parents and the general public, Franklin County received a national award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2006, for having the highest urban county immunization rate for 2 year olds in the entire country. The rate of 86.4% falls just short of Project L.O.V.E.’s goal of 90% immunization coverage. (This rate was determined by the CDC and has not been assessed since 2007 due to budget cuts at the federal level).
To gain the few percentage points to meet our goal, Project L.O.V.E. has begun to work more closely with minority communities where the immunization rate is considerably lower. Project L.O.V.E. has been more visible in these communities by partnering heath fairs, flyer and brochure distribution, and billboard and bench billboard advertising.
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These large posters are distributed throughout zip codes 43211 and 43213 in Columbus, Ohio to education families about the importance of immunizations.
With over 17,000 babies born in Franklin County in 2005, we realize our accomplishments could easily be erased without continued support and outreach from our partners. Parents need reminders and education about the importance of on-time immunizations and we must continue to educate healthcare professionals who miss opportunities to vaccinate clients or refuse to give all the age appropriate shots at each visit.
New and Ongoing Flu Campaign
Project L.O.V.E. now has the opportunity to promote immunizations to adults, particularly to seniors during the influenza (flu) season. Influenza kills approximately 36,000 U.S. citizens annually and hospitalizing another 226,000. Through the partnership of the Adult Immunization Coalition of Central Ohio (AICCO), we are committed in providing direct patient care services and educating the public about flu facts and myths. For example:
Myth: I got the flu shot last year and immediately after I had the worse case of flu ever.
Fact: You cannot get the flu from the flu shot. The vaccine, given as a shot, is made with parts of a dead virus (inactivated). Typically, it takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to become effective and protection can last up to a year. For most people influenza vaccine prevents serious illness caused by the influenza virus. It will not prevent “influenza-like” illnesses caused by other viruses.For more information about influenza or other recommended adult vaccines please click on the link to the right labeled “Adult Immunizations,” contact Project L.O.V.E. or visit the AICCO website at www.vaccine4me.com .
Summer 2006 Campaign
Although we celebrated in 2006 with the highest urban immunization rate, Franklin County rates last of the eight major metropolitan counties in Ohio among provider participation with Impact SIIS. Project L.O.V.E. intends to change that statistic. During the summer of 2006, four Public Health Nurses from Project L.O.V.E. were assigned to promote the registry in 100s of offices that give immunizations.
If you know of a practice that gives immunizations, ask if they are using the registry, and if they aren’t suggest they contact Project L.O.V.E. for more information.
One easy and exciting way to maintain a high immunization rate is to have more provider participation with Impact SIIS, a free statewide immunization registry that permanently stores immunization data (Parents: please see “For Parents” section for more information regarding the registry; Providers: please see “Healthcare Professionals” section for more information regarding the registry).