Oneida County Health Department, along with Rome City School District and the City of Utica, is setting up mobile vaccination clinics in Oneida County to offer vaccines to school-aged children.

The events will take place at the following locations:

• Rome Free Academy, 95 Dart Circle, Rome, on August 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students entering grades 9-12.
• Parkway Recreation Center, 220 Memorial Parkway, Utica on August 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students entering grades K-12.
• Rome Free Academy, 95 Dart Circle, Rome, on August 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students entering grades 9-12.
• Gansevoort Elementary School, 758 W. Liberty Street, Rome, on August 31st from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for students entering grades K-5.
• Strough Middle School, 801 Laurel Street, Rome, on August 31st from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for students entering grades 6-8.

"We recognize that residents and families may have some challenges to staying up to date on vaccines," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. "This mobile public health unit allows us to remove some of those barriers and lend a helping hand to those in need."

Appointments for the mobile clinics are preferred, as walk-in availability will vary. To schedule an appointment or if you have questions, please call Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-3651.

In New York State, children attending school must receive all required doses of vaccines on the recommended schedule to attend or remain in school. This is true unless they have a valid medical exemption to immunization. If not up to date with vaccinations, children could be excluded from attending school.

"Vaccines are an extremely valuable tool to protect the community and our children from serious and deadly diseases," said Oneida County Health Director Daniel W. Gilmore, Ph.D., MPH.

If an agency is interested in hosting a mobile vaccination clinic, a request can be made through https://ocgov.net/departments/health/programs-and-services/clinics/mobile-public-health-vehicle-request/.