On the warm, sunny morning of Saturday, Aug. 7, members of the Eastex and Jensen community began lining up outside the UT Physicians Multispecialty – Jensen clinic. Each family waited for their turn to receive routine immunizations, the COVID-19 vaccine, and much-needed school supplies.
Since 2017, the clinic has held an annual immunization event in collaboration with local and state leadership. This year, State Rep. Armando Walle was the official host, with support from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, and State Sen. Carol Alvarado.
“This new school year will be filled with many perils in terms of COVID-19 and the new variant. It is important for families to adequately receive the necessary assistance to ensure our children are prepared,” said Rep. Walle. “Having UT Physicians in our community, eligible students were able to get vaccinated and obtain free school supplies before heading back to class.”
Once checked in, staff assessed each patient’s medical records to determine which immunizations were due for each child. For those 12 and up, including parents, caregivers, and other guests, the COVID-19 vaccine was also offered. Before leaving, children were able to pick out books to take home and a backpack filled with supplies for their upcoming first day of school.
Azuki Guerrero was one of the many attendees throughout the day who received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, just in time before the start of her senior year.
“I got vaccinated to protect myself and the people around me,” she said. “There’s no harm in getting a vaccine.”
Andrew Casas, senior vice president of UTHealth and chief operating officer of UT Physicians, was on-site to greet patients.
“Since this clinic has opened, we’ve had the privilege of caring for over 30,000 patients,” said Casas. “This event was another opportunity to connect with the Jensen community and help some of its youngest members start the school year off on the right foot — with vaccinations and school supplies.”
To schedule an appointment or learn more about the UT Physicians Multispecialty – Jensen clinic, visit their page.
