La Clinica is stepping up to protect people of all ages from the flu and oral disease in a pair of parking lot clinics that will offer flu shots and dental screenings.
One clinic is set for 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at La Clinica’s Central Point Health Center, 4940 Hamrick Road. Another is set for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Phoenix Health Center, 3617 S. Pacific Highway. No appointments are needed.
La Clinica moved its annual flu shot clinics for patients into health center parking lots this fall so people can get important vaccine protection from influenza while limiting potential exposure to coronavirus. Providing flu shots outside means people don’t even have to go into a clinic and makes it easy for people to keep a safe distance from others.
The organization’s Happy Smiles team, which provides dental screenings, education, and fluoride treatments in schools, decided to bring their services to these safe outdoor clinics while schools teach remotely. Happy Smiles usually serves students at 27 Jackson County schools and also visits other community sites.
With coronavirus spreading in the community, Happy Smiles hasn’t been able to provide care on campuses and dental care has at times been restricted around the state. The team will offer dental screening and fluoride varnish for kids and adults. Services are provided at no cost, but dental insurance will be billed if people have it.
Flu vaccine is available at no cost to most insured patients, including people on the Oregon Health Plan. Cost for uninsured patients is $20 to $42.
Contact: Julie Wurth, communications officer, 541-512-3153, 541-840-6513, jwurth@laclinicahealth.org
About La Clinica
La Clinica offers wellness-focused medical, dental, mental health, and substance use disorder care at 21 sites: six primary health centers, East Medford Dental Clinic, 13 school-based centers, and in a mobile center. Although its mission focuses on providing access to low-income people, La Clinica is open to everyone. La Clinica was founded in 1989 to serve the primary and preventive care needs of migrant and seasonal farm workers in Jackson County. In 2001, in response to an increasing need for affordable primary health, La Clinica expanded its scope to serve every member of the community. All services are offered regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, and on a sliding-scale basis for the uninsured and low income.