Golisano Children’s Hospital opened a mobile pediatric vaccination clinic in Lehigh Acres last week and will continue to travel across southwest Florida.
The mobile unit’s first stop was at family health centers, reaching families who otherwise might not have been able to get a vaccination against COVID-19 due to transportation and other factors. Dozens of children, accompanied by their parents, stood in line to receive their COVID-19 vaccine from the new mobile unit.
“With this mobile vaccination clinic, we are creating additional access for children from the age of 12 to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.” Alyssa Bostwick, Chief Nurse Executive and Vice President of Operations at Golisano Children’s Hospital, said in a statement. “We want to make sure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated has the opportunity. That’s why we’re bringing our COVID-19 vaccination clinic to you. Our goal is to vaccinate as many children as would like to be vaccinated before the start of the next school year. “
The mobile children’s vaccination clinic is specially tailored to children and is equipped with a pediatric nurse to administer the vaccine. A special “Pain relief” Spray is available to apply to the injection site to relieve discomfort or fear of needles that children sometimes have. The mobile unit also has a pharmacist, paramedic or paramedic and customer service team to assist with the process.
Everyone is welcome and the vaccination does not cost anything. There are no appointments; the mobile children’s vaccination clinic can only be reached on foot.
“The response we got from the families on our first stop was amazing.” said Niki Shimko, head of the pediatric intensive care transport team in Golisano and head of the mobile vaccination clinic, in a press release. “You are so grateful that we come to you. Many of them said they would not have had a vaccine if it had not been for this unit. “
The mobile clinic will operate throughout the Southwest Florida region, with future stations planned in Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.
Officials said the mobile clinic is also working with the Lee County School District to take the unit to middle and high schools during the parental discharge and pickup time in case parents wish to vaccinate their children in those locations. Days and schools will be announced at a later date on www.leehealth.org in the COVID-19 Community Updates section.
A parent or legal guardian must accompany a minor to the vaccination. The second dose is set for the same location or one nearby.
Another stop was on Thursday May 27th at the Family Health Centers in Lehigh Acres.
Further stations in the next few weeks are:
– Monday, June 7th, 9 am-4:30pm, Family Health Centers, 4300 Kings Highway, Suite 500, Port Charlotte
– Friday, June 11, 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., Family Health Centers, 316 Del Prado Blvd. South, Cape Coral
– Monday, June 14, 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., Family Health Centers, 3415 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres
– Thursday, June 17, 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., Family Health Centers, 3415 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres
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