Health Department Offering Free Back to School Clinic Saturday
Created on Thursday, 16 September 2010 15:25
Contact: Collette DuValle, 317-373-2391
In response to on-going, high demand for required school immunizations, the Marion County Health Department has announced it will open a mass clinic at Lafayette Square Shopping Center, 3919 Lafayette Road, beginning Monday, September 20 and continuing through Friday, September 24.
After a conference call with Marion County school district representatives this morning, health department officials estimate more than 30,000 children remain out of compliance with new state immunization requirements.
The Lafayette Square clinics will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis and are subject to vaccine availability. Although ample supplies of vaccine are currently available, demand could quickly reduce the local supply. Efforts are continuing to identify and attain additional vaccine to meet the anticipated demand.
There will be a $10 administrative charge per person. Medicaid will be accepted. A parent or guardian must accompany their child to the clinic and it is critical that a current shot record or letter from school describing what vaccinations are needed come with each student. Health officials will be able to search for some records, but this will add time to the clinic visit.
Marion County Health Department District Health Offices have been operating at and above capacity throughout the summer. Since June, the health department and the Indianapolis Immunization Coalition have combined to provide six evening or weekend clinics throughout the county. A large number of patients from outside of Marion County have also accessed vaccinations from local clinics.
A seventh clinic will be held tomorrow from 9 am. – 1 p.m. at the Perry Township Education Center Building Gymnasium, 6548 Orinoco Avenue.
Due to demand for school-related immunizations, the health department is expecting a large turnout each day and those coming to the Lafayette Square clinic should be prepared to wait in long lines. The health department will vaccinate all those in line until the posted clinic closing time or until vaccine supplies have been exhausted.
“The goal we share is to ensure our children remain healthy so they can attend school and learn as much as possible. We appreciate the discretion and sensitivity shown to our children and do not want to see our children excluded because the demand has been unprecedented,� said Dr. Virginia A. Caine, director of the Marion County Health Department.
“We know parents and guardians have had difficulty finding appointments with their family physician. We also are aware there are physicians having difficulty finding enough vaccine. As we have done before, we will work together for the health and well-being of our children,� said Dr. Caine.
The Marion County Health Department will assess the local vaccine supply each day throughout next week and make adjustments to the clinic schedule if needed.
In order to appropriately staff the Lafayette Square clinic, all Marion County Health Department District Health Offices will be closed during the week of September 20 to focus all resources on the back to school clinic.
Lafayette Square Back to School Clinic Schedule:
Monday, September 20 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, September 21 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, September 22 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday, September 23 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, September 24 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
In addition, a back to school clinic will be held at the Lawrence North High School Fieldhouse, 7802 Hague Road, Saturday, September 25, from 9 a.m. – Noon.
