In an effort to make public health more accessible, McHenry County’s new Mobile Health Clinic will be rolling up to McHenry Community High School in August to provide immunizations for uninsured or underinsured students getting ready to head back to school.
This new partnership will also provide opportunities for McHenry High School biomedical science students to learn about careers in public health.
The clinic on wheels is scheduled to be at Upper Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3.
On Aug. 6, it will be back at Upper Campus for an event that was previously planned for Freshman Campus. The new location is due to ongoing construction in the Freshman Campus parking lot.
Both days correspond to material pick-up days for students to come to the buildings in preparation for the start of school on Aug. 12.
Leah Pelletier, biomedical science instructor at McHenry High School, said the idea was to help ensure students don’t have to miss school because they don’t have the necessary vaccinations. Pelletier said she’s also hopeful that the partnership sparks an interest in future careers in public health for her students. Biomedical science students will be able to job shadow at the county’s health department to learn about various roles, she said.
“They will really get to see a lot,” Pelletier said.
For the mobile clinic visits at MCHS, walk-ins are OK but health department officials urge registration. The health clinic does not take private insurance, but it does accept Medicaid. Services are also available for those who don’t have health insurance.
Visit the links below to register. See the Mobile Health Clinic webpage for more details about what to expect when visiting, along with other information about McHenry County’s health department and the mobile clinic.
Here are the details:
Monday, Aug. 3 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
District 156-Supply Pickup Upper Campus
https://central.phims.org/McHenry/Scheduling/SelfScheduling.aspx?PrivateID=9413
Thursday, Aug. 6 (2-6 p.m.)
Upper Campus south entrance (previously scheduled for Freshman Campus)
https://central.phims.org/McHenry/Scheduling/SelfScheduling.aspx?PrivateID=9416
Here are the eligibility requirements:
FREE for Medicaid recipients, cost affiliate for under/uninsured (call for more information)
Parent needs to be present
Bring vaccine record for a quicker service
Any questions, call the county’s clinical services number 815-334-4500.