With some schools starting near the end of this month and others at the start of August, you know the time has come to begin preparing your kids for a healthy fall. Luckily, tips and resources are available to take some of the stress, time and costs out of that planning:
Immunizations. Most children (3 years of age and older) can get many of their vaccines at pharmacies without an appointment. As a bonus, you can get vaccines you need while you’re there. For Eskenazi Health Pharmacy locations and vaccines available, call 317-880-0000. Children who qualify for free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program, offered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children), do need to get their immunizations at a doctor’s office.
There are also still some remaining vaccination clinics at schools. For upcoming clinics at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), go to myips.org/central-services/unified-student-supports/health-services.
If you have any questions about which vaccines are recommended for your children, consult with your physician.
Resource and health fairs. The summer is a great time to attend fairs that can give you wellness tips, save you time on health care and reduce back-to-school shopping costs. Here’s just a sampling of options:
Back to School Community Resource Day, hosted by the Marion County Public Health Department on July 12. The event will offer visitors school supplies, health screenings and entertainment (hhcorp.org/covering-kids-and-families). A fire safety festival is also taking place at the same time and location.
The Indiana Health Fair, July 17 through July 20. This four-day event includes educational resources, free health screenings and the chance to talk directly with community and health care experts. This event, located at the Indiana Convention Center, is packed with resources. See in.gov/health/indiana-health-fair for times and updates on participating organizations. Eskenazi Health, a longtime participant, will offer numerous services for children and adults. Protecting your own well-being is essential to your children, so take advantage of Eskenazi Health’s adult event offerings, including blood pressure checks, financial counseling, guidance from imaging services professionals on breast health information, and tips from rehabilitation services on avoiding falls.
Eskenazi Health Center West 38th Street is hosting a health fair on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., providing their own resources and those from other organizations.
Eskenazi Health Center Grande is hosting a fair in late summer (Saturday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) featuring numerous resources from Eskenazi Health as well as from community resources.
City League, the Urban League and other organizations have also put on back-to-school events previously, so watch the calendar to see if they’re hosting events this year as well.
You have so much to do as you plan for the start of your children’s school year. Let these resources and tips make that job easier for you.
Broderick Rhyant, M.D., chief physician executive with Eskenazi Health Center Grande
