News and Events
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Coming to a Community Near You
El Paso County, Colorado - H1N1 flu vaccine soon will be on the road to rural communities and other areas in El Paso County, thanks to a collaboration between the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment and Peak Vista Community Health Centers.
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is operated by Peak Vista in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado. Peak Vista's nursing staff will administer H1N1 flu vaccine provided by the Health Department free of charge to high-risk residents of eastern and southern El Paso County, such as Fountain, Ellicott and Yoder.
"We are delighted to work with Peak Vista to provide H1N1 vaccination to members of these communities," said Kandi Buckland, R.N., M.P.A., executive director of the Health Department. "We are working to provide as many access points as possible that are convenient in the many towns and cities within El Paso County. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is another vehicle to do that."
The Health Department will fund the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile's efforts through grants provided by the federal government to fight the H1N1 flu pandemic. This delivery method is one of many implemented by the Health Department, including direct distribution of H1N1 flu vaccine to physicians who treat members of high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and children. The Health Department also is conducting large community vaccine clinics in November and December.
Peak Vista acquired the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in early 2009 as part of a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado to provide checkups, health education, immunizations and medical and dental care for children through age 21 who need a health care home. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and accommodates two patient treatment rooms, a laboratory and a reception area.
"Our routine schedule for the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is to provide general health and dental care," said B.J. Scott, president and CEO of Peak Vista. "But the H1N1 flu pandemic is an opportunity for all of us to stretch and do things differently, and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is well suited for this purpose. We are very excited to help protect members of our community." Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide exceptional health care for people facing access barriers. Established in 1971, Peak Vista provides primary medical, dental and behavioral health care services to more than 53,000 residents of El Paso and Teller counties, most from working families without medical insurance.
The vehicle's nursing staff is expected to be able to provide as many as 160 vaccinations per day. A schedule will be maintained at the Health Department's Web site, www.elpasocountyhealth.org.
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be using the same guidelines for high-risk groups recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those most at risk for getting H1N1 flu and suffering from complications include:
- Pregnant women
- Parents/caretakers for children younger than 6 months
- All people age 6 months through 24 years
- People age 25 through 64 years with chronic health conditions
- Health care workers
For more information about H1N1 flu, visit www.elpasocountyhealth.org; call 2-1-1, Pikes Peak United Way's Health and Human Services phone line; or the toll-free Colorado Help Line, (877) 462-2911.