EL PASO COUNTY — El Paso County Public Health announced Friday it partnered with Matthews-Vu Medical Group to provide immunization services for children.
Immunizations will be offered by appointment only at the Citizens Service Center, located at 1675 Garden of the Gods Road.
Public Health nurses who normally provide routine immunizations are currently working the COVID-19 long term care facility strike team, prompting a need for the new partnership.
“Since March, we’ve had to enter into continuity of operations mode, with a large majority of our staff working in full time COVID-19 response roles. To accommodate the response, some programs and services are suspended. Now, thanks to an innovative partnership with Matthews-Vu, we are able to bring immunization services back while continuing our intense focus on pandemic response and recovery efforts,” said El Paso County Public Health Director, Susan Wheelan.
Matthews-Vu is providing staff to the Immunization Clinic to help Public Health provide parents with low- or no-cost vaccines ahead of the upcoming school year.
“As we were exploring ways to increase services to children in El Paso County during the midst of the pandemic, Matthews-Vu generously offered their providers’ time to help us fulfill this vital public health function in our community,” said El Paso County Public Health Medical Director Robin Johnson. “We are immensely grateful for the support.”
“Our mission has always been to provide the highest quality of compassionate care to patients from all walks of life,” Richard Vu, M.D., a doctor at Matthews-Vu says. “We have the social responsibility to love our neighbor and protect the health of our children here in El Paso County. We are overwhelmingly honored and humbled to have this opportunity to collaborate with El Paso County Public Health to provide immunizations to children in the midst of a pandemic. Our staff is excited to participate in this crucial service to our community. These may be challenging times, but El Paso County is a strong and compassionate community. Together, we will get through this.”
To schedule an appointment call El Paso County Public Health at 719-578-3294.
Public Health asks that families follow safety precautions including:
- Make sure everyone in your party who is age 10 and above is wearing a mask.
- Maintain at least six feet of distance between your family and others.
- Limit the size of your group to children who are getting vaccines and the parent/guardian/caregiver.
- If you or anyone in your group is sick, please reschedule and stay home. To help protect the health and safety of our clients and staff, we cannot serve anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms.
- For more information, visit the El Paso County Public Health website
