Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today announced the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will receive a $2.1 million grant for immunization and vaccination programs for children. The grant to DHEC will fund immunization and vaccination program operations and infrastructure, and vaccine purchase. The $2.1 million dollar grant represents an initial portion of the annual award for program operations, or infrastructure activities. The Centers for Disease Control anticipates a second round of awards once the FY2004 appropriations process is completed. The initial award can be used by South Carolina’s immunization program to maintain essential program activities such as immunization registries, outreach, disease surveillance, outbreak control, education, and service delivery. “This grant will help ensure effective immunization practices and proper use of vaccines to achieve high immunization coverage throughout South Carolina,” said Graham. Graham also noted the Medical University of South Carolina will receive two grants totaling more than $500,000 for heart and vascular disease research. “Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for men and women in the U.S.,” said Graham. “This research will help save lives. I am proud that South Carolina’s colleges and universities are on the cutting edge of medical research.” All the grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####