The Mobile Immunization team travels to locations within St. Joseph County.
What we do:
- Provide vaccines for all ages
- Travel to community locations, such as schools, parks, community events, etc.
- Offer vaccines to uninsured and insured individuals
- Educate about immunizations
If interested in scheduling a Mobile Clinic or learning more about us, please fill out the Mobile Clinic Request Form or call 574-235-9750 x 4.
Request a Clinic
- Requesting a Clinic
Who can request a clinic?
Any school, community partner, or private business can request a vaccination clinic. To stay in line with the mission of our mobile team, to decrease transportation and financial barriers to vaccine access, we prioritize community and school clinics. However, we are happy to schedule clinics for private businesses when schedules allow (a set-up fee may apply).
What type of clinics and vaccines do you offer?
We offer all age-appropriate ACIP recommended vaccines, as well as respiratory vaccines such as, influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal.
At this time, our mobile immunization team is unable to offer RSV or Shingles vaccines. They are available by appointment at our Mishawaka or South Bend Clinics.
Do you have a mobile vehicle that you bring to the clinics?
We do have a mobile immunization van that can be brought upon request. During winter months, we prefer to set up inside.
What does the host site need to supply?
We provide all necessary equipment and vaccines. We can bring a table and chairs if needed but appreciate when the host site can offer these accommodations. We also need a small room or area for our staff to set-up. If we are bringing our mobile van, we will need a safe location outside the building equivalent to at least 3 parking spaces.
How do I request a clinic?
Please fill out the Mobile Clinic Request Form, call 574-235-9750 x 4, or email mobilevax@sjcindiana.gov to make a request with our Immunization Coordinator.
- The Vaccination Process
What is the cost to the patient?
We accept most forms of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. We will run the patient’s insurance prior to administration and on the rare occasion their insurance is not covered, we may have to refer them to another location that accepts their insurance. If the patient does not have insurance, we will administer publicly funded vaccine and there is no fee for the patient.
What ages do you vaccinate?
We can vaccinate all ages but will only bring vaccine for the type of clinic we are hosting. For example, if it is a school-aged clinic, we will not be bringing infant vaccines.
What is the process for clinics?
Depending on the type of clinic, we do accept walk-ins, but the process is quicker for the patient if they sign up in advance. We will provide a sign-up link prior to the clinic. There are some clinics (i.e. nursing homes, schools) that are private events and will not be accessible to the public.
An immunization nurse and registrar present will assist in running insurance, doing paperwork, and vaccinating the patient. Depending on the clinic, the whole process is quick, and most people can be in and out in 10-15 minutes.
How do you advertise?
Our communications team can create a flyer with a QR code for sign-ups. We will distribute this flyer as soon as possible. If you would like to share it online or have our Health Department share this information if it is a community event, please specify this request with us when we are setting up the clinic.
- School Specific Questions
Can you come to the school to vaccinate students?
Yes, we love to partner with local schools to decrease the barriers present to getting children vaccinated. The process is quick and easy and students will only miss 5-10 minutes of class.
Do parents need to be present? How do you get consent?
Parents/guardians do not need to be present for the clinics during the school day. We offer this service to middle and high school students. Once the child is signed up through our online form, the immunization nurse will contact the parent/guardian and go over all required vaccine information and the health history of the child. The nurse will only vaccinate the child with the immunizations the parent has consented to. When the child is 18, they need to consent for themselves but are welcome to contact their parents/guardians with questions.
If it is a vaccine clinic for elementary aged children, we do ask parents/guardians to be present and our team will accommodate times to be at the end of the school day or in the evenings.
How does a school vaccine clinic usually work?
After the child is signed up, the immunization nurse contacts the parent/guardian. The nurse makes sure all required forms are filled out and reviewed and gets consent regarding what vaccines can be administered. Vaccine Information Statements are sent to the parents and all questions are answered.
On the day of the clinic, the mobile team sets up within the school and has the school nurse call each child to their location. After being vaccinated they will be given a form for the parent/guardian to access their vaccine records and then sent back to class. This process usually only takes about 5-10 minutes per child!
Do the vaccines administered go into CHIRP?
Yes, the vaccines will be able to be accessed in CHIRP, Indiana’s state database for vaccine records, usually within a week of the clinic.
Mobile Clinic Scheduling
Schedule a Mobile Clinic Event
Please fill out the Mobile Clinic Request Form or call 574-235-9750 x 4 to make a request.
Schedule an appointment at a current Mobile Clinic
Please schedule an appointment here or call 574-235-9750 x 4.