Free-Flu-Shots-Available-at-All-Miami-Beach-Public-Schools-We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
PRESS RELEASE
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, Tel: 305.673.7575
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2020
Free Flu Shots Available at All Miami Beach Public Schools
— A Partnership Between the City of Miami Beach, Borinquen Health Centers,
Miami-Dade County Public Schools and The Children’s Trust —
Miami Beach, FL – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
at least 105 children have died from the flu so far this season as influenza rates among
kids and young adults are higher than average in comparison to recent years. This is the
highest rate of child flu deaths at this point in the season since 2004, when the CDC
began keeping records and with the exception of the 2009 flu pandemic.
As the flu season continues, the City of Miami Beach is partnering with Borinquen Health
Centers, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and The Children’s Trust to provide flu
vaccines to students in all six of Miami Beach’s public schools on March 16 through
March 20, 2020. Participating schools include Miami Beach Senior High School, Miami
Beach Nautilus Middle School, Miami Beach Fienberg Fisher K-8, Miami Beach South
Pointe Elementary, North Beach Elementary and Biscayne Beach Elementary.
“Flu season is also still ongoing and everyone should take the necessary precautions to
protect themselves and their loved ones – which means getting a flu vaccine and
following good sanitary practices,” said Mayor Dan Gelber.
The City of Miami Beach is committing up to $15,000 for this initiative, and with a
completed parental consent form, flu shots will be administered during the school day
with a $0 copayment to recipients.
“When it comes to the health and well-being of our students, Miami-Dade County Public
Schools prioritizes prevention measures and preparation,” said Superintendent of
Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “We are grateful to our municipal and community partners
for providing resources so students in Miami Beach can be protected against the flu.”
Borinquen Medical Centers, the city’s public-school health provider, will be responsible
for administering the vaccines to students on-site to those who have not yet received
their flu shot this season.
“Borinquen Medical Centers is committed to and takes pride in providing quality care and
services to our students and families,” shared Dr. Deborah Gracia, Chief Medical Officer
at Borinquen Medical Centers. “The health and well-being of our students is of upmost
importance to us.”
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
“The Children's Trust supports the collaborative partnership efforts between the City of
Miami Beach and the Borinquen Health Centers to provide flu vaccinations for children
attending Miami Beach schools through Trust-funded school-based health centers,”
added Sabine Dulcio, Associate Director of Programs at The Children’s Trust. “This
partnership positively impacts the health and well-being of these children by preventing
and reducing children's risks of flu and avoiding absences from school.”
###
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or
participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).