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Dani Leis, M.A.
Volunteer & Community Relations Manager
Office 360.313.1399
Fax 360.313.1391
Email Leis

 

Address
4100 Plomondon St.
Vancouver, WA  98661
Google Map

 

 

 

Pediatric Immunizations & Seasonal Flu

Free routine immunizations for children 

Summary of Services

Immunization clinics provide free routine immunizations to children up to their 19th birthday who are low-income and have no medical insurance or medical coupons. Vaccine is supplied through the Washington State Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program at no cost to the Free Clinic. The AmeriCorps clinic coordinator and clinic director provide administrative oversight.

All clinic services are provided by volunteers.


Clinic Times

First three Wednesdays of every month; Sign-in for patients begins at 5:00 PM

Additional Saturday clinics may be scheduled during the back-to-school season. Volunteer shift start times vary depending on the assignment.


Patient Overview

Patients who come to the Free Clinic are required to have no medical insurance or medical coupons. They are generally low-income and underserved. Many come to receive shots that are required for school or day-care attendance. We often see children who have recently immigrated to the United States and may be very behind on regularly scheduled immunizations. Parents are asked to make a financial donation if they can, or offered a self-addressed envelope for a later donation.  Patients are accepted on a first come, first serve, basis and some may wait 2-3 hours before they are seen during busier times of the year.  However, we do inform patients that they are being treated by volunteers and they are for the most part very grateful. 

 

Volunteer Staff
  • Immunization Nurses (3-6) *
  • Vaccine Educator
  • Outreach Eligibility Specialist
  • Patient Check-In Clerks (2)

 * Due to the complex nature of pediatric immunizations, RN, LPN, or HCA licenses are required. Current experience preferred.  For those with previous experience, we have quarterly trainings to brush up your skills.

* During flu season, Pharmacists are eligible to provide flu shots, as well as licensed nurses, or health care assistants.

Volunteer Supervision / Team Leaders

Patrick Callahan   Patrick Callahan | Clinic Director | 360.313.1395

 

Unfilled Position  | AmeriCorps Clinic Coordinator | 360.313.1380
Directly oversees clinics, trains volunteers, and manages vaccine inventory. 


Clinic/Patient Flow

From August through October, patients wait for the clinic doors to open for sign-in, standing in line for sometimes over an hour. During slower months, patients are permitted to wait inside until sign-in begins.

  1. Patient check-in is conducted by the immunization clerks (2); patients fill out a short patient intake form and immunization questionnaire to screen for illness and contraindications. Immunization clerks review these forms for completion, obtain copies of immunization records, ask for donations, and put together patient charts.
  2. The Outreach Eligibility Specialist (1) is a representative of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) who speaks with families about options for free and low-cost health insurance. Medical coverage is currently available to all uninsured children regardless of citizenship who reside in WA State.
  3. The Vaccine Educator (1) review immunization records and do forecasting to determine what immunizations each child is due to receive. They also speak with parents who have concerns about vaccine risks and vaccine-preventable diseases.
  4. Immunization Nurses (4-5) (RN, LPN, or MA with a current HCA certificate) take patients to exam rooms, review Vaccine Information Sheets and Immunization Questionnaires with parents, and administer shots.
  5. A Spanish Interpreter (1) is available to help patients both with check-in and in the exam rooms.  Other Interpreters are available through a service by phone.

 

Available Immunizations

All regular childhood immunizations except Rotavirus are available through the VFC program. These vaccines include:

  • TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Combination)
  • DTAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Combination)
  • TD (Tetanus, Diphtheria Combination)
  • HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
  • IPV (Inactivated Polio)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis A
  • PCV13 (Pneumococcal)
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella Combination)
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)
  • MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella Combination—availability varies)
  • MCV (Meningococcal)
  • HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Influenza vaccine is also available starting each fall. When funding is allotted, influenza vaccine is also made available to adults during separately scheduled adult flu shot clinics. Please inquire with the clinic representatives listed above about the availability of adult influenza vaccine.

 

Immunization Reminders and updating records

Washington State immunization booklets are stocked in the lab and available to patients to document all past immunizations. Immunization clerks and the clinic coordinator assist nurses in compiling past records into these booklets for patients.

Reminder cards are also stocked at the front desk and in the lab for patients needing upcoming shots to complete a vaccine series. Patients who are given these cards should be informed that the Free Clinic can only provide immunizations for uninsured children. If a child begins receiving medical benefits, they will need to find another provider. 


Child Profile

Child Profile is the Washington State online database for tracking childhood immunizations. As a Child Profile user, the Free Clinic can easily view and print past immunization records for children who come to our clinic and have previously received immunizations in WA. After shots are administered, we upload records of these shots as well as any other past immunizations from records that the parent brought in.

 

           

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