Backpack Clinic & Vaccine Clinic set for July 16

SUBMITTED - Pictured during last year’s event, are Sarah Cox, and Randy Collins (Maintenance Manager).

Ascension St Vincent Clay Hospital and Clay Community Schools have worked together again to continue its annual Backpack Program for the 2022/2023 school year, and the program is growing.

Ascension St. Vincent and Clay Community Schools are partnering with the Indiana Department of Health to provide a childhood and adolescent vaccine clinic that day on July 16. The Indiana Department of Health will have a mobile vaccine clinic available in the hospital’s front parking lot on the same day as the Backpack Program pick-up date, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (The hospital is located at 1206 E National Ave, Brazil, IN 47834.)

These vaccines will be available to the public and do not require an appointment.

SUBMITTED - Pictured during last year’s event, are Sarah Cox, Randy Collins (Maintenance Manager), and Danny Webster (volunteer, husband of our CNO).

According to medical officials, on-time vaccination throughout childhood is crucial because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.

“Vaccines can prevent serious diseases that once killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults,” said Sarah Cox, Pharmacy Manager at Ascension St, Vincent Clay Hospital. “Without vaccines, your child is at risk for serious illness or even death from diseases like hepatitis B, measles, mumps, polio, whooping cough, and meningococcal disease.

(NOTE: This is not a COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Students and parents will not enter the building, and pick the backpacks up on the front porch of the hospital. Therefore, masks will not be required. )

“The vaccination clinic is for the standard adolescent and pediatric vaccines. I have asked the IDH for a specific list of vaccinations but have not yet received one,” Cox said. “I am not sure if the COVID-19 or the HPV vaccines will be offered or not yet until I receive this information.”

Depending on the type and number of vaccinations, it can cost hundreds of dollars. Health insurance usually covers immunization costs; however, this could be very costly without insurance.

“It is crucial that children receive their vaccinations according to the immunization schedule and stay up-to-date to prevent life-threatening diseases, such as hepatitis B, measles, mumps, polio, whooping cough, and meningococcal disease. Vaccines help provide children with immunity before exposure to these serious diseases. Without vaccinations, children are at risk.” Ascension St Vincent Clay Hospital provides free backpacks and school supplies to children and families in need who may otherwise be unable to afford them.

Like last year, about 400 backpacks were filled with prepackaged school supply kits. Cox said the same could happen this year.

“It depends on how many students sign up.,” she said. “The number is usually around 400 backpacks, but forms must be completed and received before the deadline (July 4), so that we can purchase and pack bags for those students.”

The forms were sent home with all children in Clay Community Schools at the end of the school year for families to participate in the program. Forms should be turned in at Ascension St Vincent Clay Hospital’s Front Business Office or the Clay County Emergency Food Pantry no later than Monday, July 4, 2022.

Extra forms are available at these two locations and must be completed and received no later than Monday.

The Backpack Program pick-up date and location is at Ascension St Vincent Clay Hospital on Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.