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The Hays County Health Department (HCHD) will host its 3rd Annual Back-To-School Fair on Aug. 2 at the Election Center, located at 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos. The event will offer free resources, activities and food for the community.
The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will offer vaccinations for eligible children, backpacks filled with school supplies, food, paletas, haircuts, booster seats, games and activities. Various community organizations will provide games and resources at their tables. Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Dr. Michelle Cohen will be handing out ice cream. Hot dogs and chips offered by the San Marcos Police Department will also be available to fair visitors.
The annual fair is held to promote immunizations for the upcoming school year and to create community resiliency.
”This fair is an amazing opportunity for local government and organizations to come together to offer members of our community resources, whether that is vaccines, backpacks, diapers, vision or hearing screenings, or other resources and services that they otherwise may not have received,” said Matthew Gonzales, Director of the Health Department.
The fair has seen significant growth in attendance, resources, and services offered over the last two years. “Each year, this fair has grown to provide more education and more resources. It’s a testament to the trust built and work done between the department and our partners and residents,” Gonzales added. Free vaccinations will be available for children who meet one or more of these requirements as set out under the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program: are uninsured or underinsured, are covered by Medicaid, are American Indian or Native Alaskan, or are enrolled in Children’s mHealth Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements. Parents or legal guardians must accompany the child and bring the vaccination records of the person getting vaccinated. Providing vaccination opportunities ahead of the school year helps communities by freeing up valuable appointment times at family clinics, urgent care and emergency rooms during the back-to-school rush. “If you are unable to attend the fair, we offer a mobile clinic that serves underserved areas. You can track the mobile clinic’s schedule on our website,” said Kate Esqueda, Community Outreach Specialist. “We also provide vaccination services during regular clinic hours.” The health department clinic is open Tuesday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. On the first Monday of the month, the clinic operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment, call the Health Department at 512393-5520. For more details, visit www.hayscountytx. gov/vaccinations.
