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Health Department - Public Health Clinical Services

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1. Do you take appointments?

No appointments are necessary. We take walk-ins Monday through Friday, first-come-first-served. We are also open during lunch hours.

2. What is TVFC program?

The Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) is a state-operated program funded with federal and state money to provide low-cost vaccines to eligible children from birth through 18 years of age.

3. Do I have to pay for the vaccines under the Texas Vaccines for Children Program?

No, you do not have to pay for the vaccines for your children under the Texas Vaccines for Children Program, however, you may pay a small immunization administration fee if your children are not covered by Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program.

4. Who is eligible for the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) Program?

Any child who is 18 years of age or younger and meets at least one of the eligibility criteria listed below is eligible to receive TVFC vaccine:

• Medicaid eligible
• Enrolled in Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the provider bills CHIP for the services
• Alaskan Native
• American Indian
• Does not have health insurance 
• Is underinsured - A child who has commercial (private) health insurance, but coverage does not include vaccines

5. What do I need to bring to get my child immunized?

You will need to bring a complete record of your child's previous immunizations. If you are on Medicaid, CHIP or private insurance, you need to bring the current card, not the letter.

6. Can I bring my sick child to your clinic to see a doctor?

No, we only give immunizations. However, your child may be able to receive his/her immunizations if a low-grade fever and/or minor symptoms are present.

7. Do you accept out-of-state Medicaid?

No, we are not able to accept out-of-state Medicaid.

8. Do you accept insurance?

We accept BlueCross/BlueShield of Texas, CIGNA, Humana, and United Healthcare. We also accept Medicare Part B and D for patients 50 and up.

9. Do you give discounted services to Garland residents?

Our fees are the same, regardless of location of clients' residence.

10. Can you give some of my child’s immunizations on this visit and some on the next visit, so that my child will not get so many injections at one time?

As a Texas Vaccines for Children provider, our clinic is required to give all recommended vaccine doses on the same visit.

11. Do you provide titer lab tests to check immunity levels?

Yes, we do perform laboratory services at our clinic. We offer MMR, Measles, Mumps, Hep B, Varicella and Rabies Titers.

12. Do you provide testing for sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) or drug testing?

No, you can contact Dallas County Health and Human Services by calling 214-819-1819 for information on testing.

13. Do you offer physical exams or athletic physicals?

No, we don't offer physical exams or athletic physicals at this time.

14. Are you affiliated with the Parkland Health and Hospital System?

No, we are an extension of the City of Garland Health Department, funded by Texas Department of State Health Services and Health Facilities Development Corporation.

15. What should I do if I am bitten by an animal?

Animal bites should be immediately reported to the Animal Services division of the city in which the bite occurred.  In addition, the bite victim should contact his/her healthcare provider to receive instructions on the necessity of tetanus vaccination and/or rabies treatment.

For further information visit the City of Garland Animal Services.

16. Why should I register my child on ImmTrac, the Texas immunization registry?

ImmTrac, the Texas Immunization Registry, is a no-cost service offered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). It is a secure and confidential registry available to all Texans. When a health-care provider administers an immunization and you consent to registering this information, the statewide immunization registry, known as Immtrac, is notified. The benefits of registering the information help parents locate shot records for the children and prevent over immunized their child due to lost shot records. Also, the immunization schedule is confusing and parents often do not realize that their child is due for an immunization.

Consent Form

ImmTrac Consent Forms are available at Garland Public Health Department Clinical Services.

Download the ImmTrac Consent Form from the DSHS website. Complete the form, sign and date it. Deliver the completed consent form, along with copies of your immunization records to: 

1. Any health-care provider registered with ImmTrac 
   1. Garland Health Department Clinical Services
   2. Mail to:
      Texas Department of State Health Services
      Immunization, Branch – ImmTrac Group, MC 1946
      P.O. Box 149347
      Austin, TX 78714-9347
   3. Fax to Texas DSHS at 512-458-7790
2. Call our Outreach Specialist if you have questions related to ImmTrac at 972-205-3370.

17. Why should I register myself on ImmTrac, the Texas immunization registry?

Adults need vaccines throughout their life. Store your immunization records in Immtrac, the Texas Immunization Registry. It is a free, secure, confidential services that stores immunization records electronically in one centralized system. ImmTrac is available to Texans of all ages.

To register for ImmTrac participation, you must grant consent in writing. Anyone 18 years or older may consent to participate in ImmTrac. Past, as well as current, immunizations can be added to the record at any time.

How to Register

Download the Immunization Registry (ImmTrac) Adult Consent Form (F11-13366) (PDF) or obtain an ImmTrac Consent Form from Garland Health Department Clinical Services. Complete the form, sign and date it. Deliver the completed consent form, along with copies of your immunization records to:

• Any health-care provider registered with ImmTrac
• Garland Health Department Clinical Services
• Mail to:
  Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
  Immunization Branch – ImmTrac Group, MC 1946
  P.O. Box 149347
  Austin, TX 78714-9347
• Fax to the Texas DSHS at 512-458-7790

18. I’m an adult. What immunizations do I need?

Staying healthy is a lifelong job, and you're never too old to be immunized!

Getting a dose of Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) is especially important if you have contact with an infant. Other immunizations available for adults include:

• Influenza (every year)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Pneumococcal
• Varicella (chickenpox)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends patients 50 and up to get the Shingles vaccine.

Resources

Consult your healthcare provider to determine your need for other vaccines or visit the following websites to determine what you need:

• CDC
• Immunization Action Coalition

19. What are the requirements of the new state law regarding meningitis immunizations for college students?

On January 1, 2012, new state meningitis vaccine requirements go into effect that require certain college students to present proof of receiving a Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) within the past 5 years.  Contact the institution you are planning to attend for specific instructions.