Foundation’s Care Van Program deploying to Dallas and Houston to immunize children.
Against a backdrop of the measles outbreak and other medical concerns, the Caring Foundation of Texas mobile health program – Care Van – is providing preventative health care services to underserved and other communities in Dallas and Houston. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas serves as the foundation’s statewide sponsor covering all the administrative costs.
“At a time when vaccinations have never been more important, we see barriers to accessing preventive services for Texans,” said Paul Hain, Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. “The Caring Foundation of Texas mobile health program provides preventative healthcare services and educational resources directly to the most vulnerable area of our communities to help improve the health of all Texans.”
Working in tandem with health departments, local clinics and hospitals and universities, the Care Van program brings free immunizations, blood pressure screenings and other health services directly to children and families who do not have steady access to preventative care from clinicians at low or no
cost.“We’ve seen an increase of parents who have now decided it is time for their children to get up-to-date on their immunizations, but we also realize that it is expensive to get fully immunized,” said Dr. Robert Morrow, the Caring Foundation of Texas Board President. “Many of these families are uninsured or underinsured so the Care Van program helps to alleviate the worry about the expense. The added benefit of families getting their children immunized is it not only protects their children, but also other children in their community.”
Measles spreads rapidly because it is highly contagious. If one person has it, 90 percent of those close to that person who aren’t protected will get infected. Luckily, this disease is highly preventable through the MMR vaccine, which is 97 percent effective at preventing it.
Families are invited to visit any of these Houston-area community outreach locations to receive immunizations:
- 5/14/19, Houston, Mexican Consulate of Mexico @Springwoods HS, 2045 Gessner, 77081 4:00p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- 5/15/19, Houston, Salvation Army, 7920 Cook Rd, 77072 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- 5/21/19, Houston, Spring Forest MS, 14240 Memorial, 77079 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- 5/22/19, Houston, Memorial Assistance Ministries, 1625 Blalock, 77080 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- 5/23/19, Jacinto City, Second Baptist Church, 10501 Muscatine, 77029 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*Please bring the child’s most complete immunization/shot records with you, if possible. Child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No appointment needed.
Since 1997, the Care Vans have provided more than 27,930 immunizations and 50,821 screenings and preventative care to children across Texas. For more information, visit www.carevan.org.
