With so much talk about vaccines the last couple of years, The University of New Mexico Health System is reminding families it’s not just about being protected from COVID. Children need their routine back-to-school shots as well.
To provide an opportunity for children to stay up to date on their immunizations, the UNM Southwest Mesa Family Health Clinic is holding a free back-to-school shot clinic Saturday, July 23.
The walk-in clinic, which will be in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health, the New Mexico Primary Care Association and the New Mexico Immunization Coalition, will provide vaccinations for children, from infants to 18 years old, regardless of whether they are a UNM patient or whether they have insurance. Appointments will not be necessary.
This is something we’ve been doing for years now. It’s a great opportunity for us to open our doors to the community and it’s open to everyone – whether they’re a patient or not
“This is something we’ve been doing for years now,” said Alex Hang, unit director for the Southwest Mesa Family Health Clinic. “It’s a great opportunity for us to open our doors to the community and it’s open to everyone – whether they’re a patient or not.”
Parents are encouraged to bring along their children’s vaccine records to make sure they receive the vaccines they need. Additionally, the COVID-19 booster vaccines will be available for children ages 12 and up.
Hang said it’s not only important for children to get vaccinated before going back into a classroom – in some schools it’s also mandatory.
“Other than getting their children protected from COVID and everything else that’s out there, most schools are changing their requirements when it comes to going back to school,” Hang said. “This is a good opportunity for parents who have gotten busy throughout the year to get their children vaccinated before taking them back to school.”
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., children who come to the clinic, located at 301 Unser Blvd. NW, will be given a free backpack filled with school supplies, such as crayons, pencils and notebooks.
“We’ve raised enough money to be able to buy 72 backpacks and fill them with school supplies, and we’ll pass them out to the children that come to our event,” Hang said. “I think it’s great what our clinic and UNM is doing for our community.”
For more information, contact the UNM Southwest Mesa Family Health Clinic at 505-925-4126