Staff from the Florida Department of Health supported Florida Senior Day on Jan. 29 by providing vaccines to seniors. Department staff from the State Office and Leon County, aided by a mobile medical unit made available by Bay County, administered the vaccines.

Florida Senior Day is held every year at the Capitol and is hosted by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. It provides a venue to celebrate the contributions of seniors as well as an opportunity for seniors to explore the services and resources that are readily available to them.

It is important for seniors to understand that vaccines and health literacy are a part of staying healthy through older adulthood. As a person gets older, their immune system weakens, and this makes it harder for their body to fight off infection and disease. Vaccination is a preventive measure that ensures healthy aging. In addition to vaccines, the Department hosted a health information table that covered a variety of health topics such as dental health, hearing loss, stroke, heart disease, nutrition and injury prevention. Attendees were also provided with information on how to register with their local emergency management agency to receive assistance during a disaster.