TAMIU Nursing Students Help Protect Against the Flu

            Several local residents received immunizations thanks to a grant awarded by the Texas Medical Association to the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing.

            The $2,000 grant was used for a new collaborative project between the School of Nursing and Pediatrics Associates of Laredo, “Parents vs. Pertussis and Influenza.”

            The grant is part of the Texas Medical Association’s Be Wise—Immunize program.

            “The goal of the project was to alter the current mentality that the influenza vaccine is a catalyst for developing the disease. It is a common misunderstanding for Hispanic adults to refuse vaccination against influenza by proxy, for their children,” explained Dr. Julio Lujano,TAMIU assistant professor of nursing.

            “Our goal, by immunizing 100 community members, is to tackle this age-old myth and bring about a new trend. The longitudinal goal is to erase the negative stigma associated with influenza vaccination,” Dr. Lujano added.

            The event was held Saturday, Oct. 17 at Pediatrics Associates of Laredo, 1616 Logan and was repeated Saturday, Oct. 24 at Holding Institute.

            Dr. Miguel Cavazos, Jr. provided his office lobby and basic office supplies and the TAMIU Student Nurses Association provided the immunizations.

            For more information, contact Lujano at julio.lujano@tamiu.edu or 326.3113.

            Additional information is available at www.tamiu.edu and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.