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| FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will offer health screenings and COVID-19 vaccines to the public at no charge during the Back to School Bash with a Splash in downtown El Dorado on May 27 August, as part of a statewide initiative to improve health outcomes in rural Arkansas communities.
Vaccines will be available to anyone aged 5 and over.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, approximately 47% of Union County’s population is fully immune to COVID-19, and 183 people have died from COVID-19 in Union County since the start of the pandemic.
In addition to COVID-19 vaccines and health screenings, colorectal and breast cancer information and colon cancer FIT testing will be available through UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
“We are hopeful that we are nearing the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we know that much more needs to be done to prevent all Arkansans from becoming seriously ill with the coronavirus,” said Stephanie Kruger, Associate Director of UAMS community programs. Office of Community Health and Research. “If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, need a booster, or just have questions about the vaccine or your health, we encourage you to come see us at the Back to School Bash with a Splash. We’re not just here to provide vaccines – we want to reach out to the Union County community and answer questions so you can make an informed decision about your health care.
COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to significantly alleviate symptoms of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 11,750 people in Arkansas since 2020. As Arkansas’ case count continues to decline, vaccination against the virus is encouraged by medical authorities to prevent serious illness or death.
UAMS will provide COVID-19 vaccines to anyone age 5 and older. Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots are available to anyone 5 years of age and older and Moderna booster shots are available to anyone 18 years of age and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends booster shots for people five months after their first round of vaccines.
Patients who complete a short survey after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine at the event will receive a $20 Walmart gift card.
The Back to School Bash with a Splash will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, August 27 in downtown El Dorado. Free life jackets will also be available while supplies last.
For more information about COVID-19, including resources, mobile vaccination events and education, visit nwa.uams.edu/covid.
UAMS is the only health sciences university in the state, with colleges of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, health professions, and public health; a doctoral school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwestern Arkansas Regional Campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical activities. UAMS is the only Level 1 adult trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,047 students, 873 medical residents and fellows, and six resident dentists. It is the largest public employer in the state with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide patient care at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu Where uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube Where instagram.
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