Steuben County Public Health has launched a new mobile vaccination van to serve its remote and rural communities. The van, which is similar in size to a food truck, will travel throughout the county offering health services to areas where accessibility to healthcare providers is limited.
Covering nearly 1,400 square miles, Steuben County is larger than the state of Rhode Island. To address the challenges faced by residents in these areas, the county health department has equipped the van with two nursing stations, storage, electric and USB outlets, a generator, and a refrigerator for vaccines. The van was purchased for $212,000 using a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administered through the New York State Department of Health.
The main goal of the mobile unit is to prevent disease and promote health within the community. Public Health Director Darlene Smith expressed her excitement about launching the van to reach more residents. “We hope this van will help us provide essential healthcare services to those who need them most,” she said.
Smith emphasized that the van will carry Narcan, which can help reverse opioid overdoses. Additionally, it will offer immunizations for school-aged children as well as administer flu, hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and COVID vaccines. “Our mission is to make sure everyone in Steuben County has access to quality healthcare services,” she added.
Smith hopes to have the van present at the Steuben County Fair in August to engage the community and educate them about its services. Residents can find more information about the van and its outreach efforts on the county’s website. She believes that this initiative will go a long way in improving public health outcomes in Steuben County.
