Aurora VNA brings flu clinics to Hmong association

The Aurora VNA holds clinics each fall at the Sheboygan Hmong Mutual Assistance Association. Those who have participated include (from left, back row) Pa Kue, Aurora VNA nurse Grace Mueller, Shoua Kao Vang and Youa Vang. Front row: Yee Thao, Nou Yeng Yang and Lia Hang.

The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin holds influenza vaccination clinics throughout eastern Wisconsin each year. When a language barrier made it difficult for Hmong people to participate in the community clinics, the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association of Sheboygan asked the VNA nurses whether they would be willing to hold a clinic at its center.

The clinics were announced on Hmong radio and got a great response. Those who were vaccinated urged others to come the next year. Now the Sheboygan Hmong community looks forward to the clinics each fall.

Chasong Yang, executive director of the association, said: "We always have had a good relationship with the Aurora Visiting Nurse Association. The Hmong community feels good that Aurora listened to our needs and cared enough to establish a clinic where Hmong residents are comfortable and where we have interpreters. That effort means a lot, especially to the elderly people."