New Canaan, CT, January 15 2003 - AmeriCares is distributing 70,000 doses of flu vaccine free to indigent populations in 20 U.S. states and Washington, DC. The flu season generally runs from December to April in the U.S. and is blamed for more than 36,000 deaths annually, most among the elderly.

The vaccine was donated by Aventis Pasteur, which is located in Swiftwater, PA. The company is the world’s largest supplier of flu vaccine.

Social service agencies are dispensing the vaccine in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than $2.8 billion in humanitarian aid and relief assistance in 137 countries.