Wednesday, July 25, 2001

SRMC providing free immunizations for children

Southern Regional Medical Center is partnering with the Clayton County Board of Health to provide free immunizations and hearing, vision and dental screenings to area children Thursday, Aug. 2, 6-9 p.m. in the Education Auditorium at the hospital.

They will be available to all Clayton County children. The hearing, dental and vision screenings will be offered to school age children only.

"Southern Regional realizes the importance of immunizations and other health prevention efforts to the community, and is committed to improving and maintaining the health of all residents in the Southern Crescent, especially that of our children," says Ed Bonn, CHE, president and C.E.O. of Southern Regional Medical Center.

Health experts say immunization is one of the best ways to protect a child against contagious diseases, and it may be the most important thing that a parent can do for a child's health. The mission of the Clayton County Board of Health is to protect and promote the health of the people through high standards of quality community health by prevention, surveillance, assessment, treatment and collaborative community partnerships.

The "free" immunizations/screening session at Southern Regional will only be offered Aug. 2, so parents are encouraged to take advantage of this event. They must bring all immunization records in order for their child to receive the vaccinations. If a parent does not have the child's immunization record, the child can not receive the vaccinations. Immunizations must be up-to-date before a child can enter school or daycare.

Southern Regional Health System provides comprehensive health resources including: Southern Regional Medical Center, a 406-bed, full-service hospital in Riverdale featuring a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, a women's center and one of the busiest and best emergency departments in the state; RiverWoods, Southern Regional Psychiatric Center, a psychiatric facility with a complete continuum of behavioral care services; Southern Regional Homecare, a home health agency providing home health services and home medical equipment and Surgery Center at Mt. Zion, a multi-specialty surgery center in Morrow.