ABQ Times

As the new school year approaches, Alexander Hang, RN, and his team aim to ensure that children return to classrooms without the threat of preventable diseases. Hang is the unit director at The University of New Mexico Southwest Mesa Center for Family & Community Health, which will host a free back-to-school immunization clinic on Tuesday, July 30, from 1-4 p.m.

“It’s a great event, being able to connect with kids and parents from the community, letting them know we are here to help and we have spaces for primary care as well,” Hang stated.

“First and foremost, it is important to protect the children from these communicable diseases. We want to make sure that they have all the appropriate vaccines that they need to go back to school,” he added.

In addition to addressing children's health needs, Hang mentioned that free backpacks and school supplies would also be distributed at the clinic. “We want to make sure children have the supplies they need to be able to thrive and not be concerned about missing notebooks or glue or whatever they might need in classes,” he said.

The vaccine clinic will offer all state-required immunizations for children aged 0-18 years, including COVID boosters. "There is a wide variety of immunizations, and we do have combo vaccines as well," Hang noted. "We give hepatitis A and B vaccines, varicella to protect against chicken pox, and polio vaccines—a lot of diseases where these vaccines are known to be effective with herd immunity. We definitely do not want these illnesses to start popping back up in schools and affecting children."

Insurance is not required for immunizations; however, families are encouraged to bring insurance information if available. Providers can assist in looking up a child's immunization records if needed.

Hang expressed his enthusiasm for this annual event: “Our event is a little bit more special in my heart in being able to provide a little bit extra for the children with school supplies and prizes,” he said. “We will be doing this annually. So, if someone has come here before, they are certainly welcome to come back!”

For those unable to attend this particular clinic, UNM Health and Bernalillo County have organized over a dozen other shot clinics throughout the Albuquerque Metro area this summer.