Against a backdrop of the measles outbreak and other medical concerns, the Caring Foundation of Texas mobile health program — Care Van — is providing preventive 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 for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. "The Caring Foundation of Texas mobile health program provides preventive health 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 preventive 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, president of the Caring Foundation of Texas' board.
"Many of these families are uninsured or underinsured so the Care Van program helps to alleviate the worry about the expense," Morrow said. "The added benefit of families getting their children immunized is it not only protects their children, but also other children in their community."
Measles spread rapidly because it is highly contagious. If one person has it, 90% 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% effective at preventing it.
Since 1997, the Care Vans have provided more than 1.3 million immunizations children across Texas.
Families are invited to visit any of these community outreach locations to receive immunizations:
Dallas-Fort Worth Area:
- 5/14/19, Forney, 1st UMC, 414 Broad St., 75126 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 5/16/19, McKinney, Lawson Early Childhood Ctr, 500 Dowell St, 75069 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 5/20/19, Garland, GISD Student Services, 720 Stadium Dr., 75040 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 5/23/19, Bedford, HEB, Gene A Buinger Career and Tech Education Academy, 1849 Central, 76022 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 5/28/19, Mesquite, BEES Center, 405 E. Davis, 75149 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 5/30/19, Carrolton, Carrollton ISD, 1820 Pearl St., 75006 4:00 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Houston area:
- 5/14/19, Houston, Mexican Consulate of Mexico @Springwoods HS, 2045 Gessner, 77081 4:00 p.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. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No appointment needed.
Learn more here about the Caring Foundation, how to schedule a Caring Van for an event and when and where to find Care Vans in your community.