Free event will help families get back on track
After the pandemic hit, nearly all doctor’s appointments to keep people healthy were canceled, including shots for kids. According to the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), 39% of Randolph County K-12 students have not gotten all required shots.
The problem is more concerning among Randolph County 12th graders, who are 45.8% behind and will age out of programs that track vaccinations once they reach age 18.
To help families catch up and get children “back on track” with their shots, MDwise, the Randolph County Health Department and IDOH are hosting Back on Track, on Aug. 3 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the White River Volunteer Fire Department, 1023 N. Old Highway 27 in Winchester.
All routine childhood vaccinations including measles, mumps, rubella, polio and HPV will be available, as well as, for those 5 and older, COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
“It’s important that as many Hoosier kids as possible get vaccinated against preventable diseases like measles, polio and HPV,” said Jessica Cromer, president and CEO of MDwise. “We’re hosting ‘Back on Track’ to help ensure Indiana communities and families are healthy.”
The event is open to everyone and will include free food, a bounce house, free school supplies and door prizes of $50 gift cards from MDwise.
Parents and caregivers should pre-register at patients.vaxcare.com/registration (Enter enrollment code IN65942, select MDwise Back on Track Event-8/3). Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
Anyone who needs transportation to get to the event should call MDwise at 800-356-1204.
Children younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult with valid identification, such as a driver’s license, identification card or passport. Insurance is not required for qualified children to get their shots, but if they are covered by health insurance, that information must be given.
WHAT: Back on Track kids’ shots event
WHEN: Aug. 3, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: White River Volunteer Fire Department, 1023 N. Old Hwy. 27, Winchester, Ind., 47394
WHO: MDwise, Randolph County Health Department, Indiana Department of Health
REGISTER: patients.vaxcare.com/registration (Enter enrollment code IN65942, select MDwise Back on Track Event-8/3)