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Duval County Health Department Prepares Students for School with Back-to-School Physicals and Vaccinations
August 9, 2007
The Duval County Health Department’s (DCHD) The Bridge Adolescent & Pediatric Health Center will hold a back-to-school-event for pre-teens, teens and college-bound adolescents, ages 10-21, Friday, August 10, 2007 from 8 am to 4 pm at The Bridge, 1824 Pearl Street; the day will include physicals, vaccinations, health education and fun.
Several venues will be offered during the event: from 8-9 a.m. doctors will be on hand to answer parents’ and teens’ health-related questions in a forum entitled Ask the Doctor; beginning at 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. students can receive physicals, vaccinations and educational sessions. Physicals and vaccinations will be available to both males and females and include: meningococcal, hep A & B, DTap-pertussis, MMR booster, Gardasil (the new vaccine for girls that protects against 4 strains (type 6, 11, 16 & 18) of the human papilloma virus (HPV) – the virus (type 16 & 18) that causes 70% of cervical cancers) and more. Following the physicals, teens can relax during “teen open-mic” from 2-4 pm; and for more fun and relaxation, students can take advantage of other activities offered through the day such as side-walk art, banner painting, movies and videos and teen talk. Local sponsors will even provide low-cost hair cuts and manicures.
The primary objective of this back-to-school event is to offer teens in the community the opportunity to receive preventive adolescent medical services necessary for entering school. “All services will be available under one roof and could be free for some,” said Jocelyn Turner, DCHD Community Relations Director. “We will use a health-fair format to impart knowledge about health topics that greatly impact teens, like tobacco education, STD/HIV prevention and having safe relationships,” said Roxanna Ebanks, The Bridge Adolescent & Pediatric Health Care Center administrator.
DCHD is an advocate for wellness and health prevention and is committed to hosting events for youth and teens regularly throughout the year. The August 10 back-to-school event is part two of a two-part event. Part one was also held at the Bridge on June 29 and was for Pre-K through middle school students, ages 3 to 10.
Parents or legal guardians are welcome and encouraged to bring their teens in order to receive services, regardless of income, to avoid the rush on back-to-school physicals. Parents or guardians must attend to sign consent for immunizations or give permission to perform the physicals. Parents are asked to pre-register with a financial advisor by calling 253-1050 option 1; if a child has a pediatrician, parents must call the pediatrician for prior authorization.
For more information call 253-1050, option 1.
Duval County Health Department
Main Office
515 W. 6th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
253-1000
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