The services offered through the mobile unit include diabetes education and screening, blood pressure tests, pregnancy testing, HIV testing, body mass index (BMI) measurement, health education and adult immunizations.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that offers safe and effective protection against certain cancers is offered at no cost to those who are ages 19-26 and have no insurance.
One dose of the Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended to replace the regular tetanus vaccine for adults, and pregnant women (for each pregnancy). It is especially important in preventing pertussis or whooping cough in adults who care for infants who are too young to be vaccinated. This vaccine is available to individuals 19-26 years of age who have no insurance or who are under insured. Tdap is also available at no cost with no age limit for the homeless. Hepatitis B vaccine is also available at no cost to those who qualify through the special ’09’ Hepatitis Prevention Program.
The staff also assists individuals who lack medical insurance and do not have a health care provider to find a medical home for ongoing health care.
No appointment is needed. Some services are free, including HIV rapid testing with results in 20 minutes and tobacco cessation referrals to any of the three no-cost options offered by Tobacco Free Florida’s 3 Ways to Quit. Other services are provided on a sliding-fee scale based on income. A registered nurse is available at all sites.
While these services are most often provided in a 40-foot-long bus, there are times when services are provided inside the facilities visited.
The following is a schedule of dates and locations for the mobile unit:
SARASOTA
Thursdays, Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28; 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Salvation Army 1400 10th St.
Monday, Aug. 11, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Walmart Neighborhood Market
3500 N. Tamiami Trail
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Career Source Suncoast (formerly known as Suncoast Workforce-Sarasota)
3660 N. Washington Blvd.
Friday, Aug. 29, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Goodwill Manasota North Trail Center
5150 N. Tamiami Trail
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 12 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Janie’s Garden Apartments
2350 Central Ave.
LAUREL
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 1:30-5 p.m.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food distribution program
Sandra Sims Terry Community Center
509 Collins Road
VENICE
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food distribution program
Venice Community Center
326 Nokomis Ave. S.
Wednesday, Aug 13 and 27, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Salvation Army Family Store
1160 U.S. 41 Bypass South
Wednesday, Aug 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity Re-Store
1400 Ogden Road
NORTH PORT
Monday, Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Walmart Supercenter
17000 Tamiami Trail
Friday, Aug. 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Goodwill Manasota Center North Port
U.S. 41 and Sumter Blvd.
Monday, Aug. 25, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Publix Super Market at Heron Creek Towne Center of North Port
1291 S. Sumter Blvd.
ENGLEWOOD
Tuesday, Aug 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Elsie Quirk Library
100 W. Dearborn St.
For more information, call 941-861-5000 or visit www.sarasotahealth.org.
