SAN ANTONIO – On Saturday, residents from the South Side gathered outside the Cortez Library for a pop-up clinic aimed at increasing measles vaccination rates in the area.
Among the attendees, Maria Elena and Lillianna Rodriguez decided to get vaccinated. They expressed, “We figured, let’s be a little bit early, let’s be proactive.”
The Rodriguez family mentioned that such clinics are rare on the South Side, but they want to ensure the safety of their friends and family.
Many in this community face challenges with health insurance, making these pop-up clinics vital, according to city health officials.
Maria Elena appreciated the convenience of the clinic, noting, “The South Side gets left out on some things, but we really need these services here. It’s great that we can take action against measles.”
Sarah Stain and her 6-year-old daughter, Lilah, also attended to keep their vaccines current. Stain shared, “I’ve heard about measles everywhere, and I want to protect my dad, who’s a senior citizen. Lilah knows this helps not just her but everyone around her.”
Awareness about the measles virus has been rising since someone from Gaines County, who later tested positive, visited San Antonio during Valentine’s Day weekend. As of Friday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 146 confirmed cases. An infant in Travis County also tested positive, but that case seems unrelated to the West Texas outbreak.
Sadly, an unvaccinated child in Lubbock passed away recently, and 20 individuals have been hospitalized due to the outbreak.
At a recent Community Health Committee meeting, Anita Kurian from Metro Health assured that there have been no reported cases in Bexar County.
For those interested, a complete list of upcoming pop-up clinics is available through Metro Health.
Check out this related article: Join Council President Kate Stewart and Rep. Jamie Raskin for a Virtual Meeting on Vital Mental Health Resources – March 6th!
Source linkMeasles,Vaccine,South Side,Health,Metro Health,San Antonio
