Ohio health department's mobile units offer free health screenings, COVID shots at fair

Telegraph-Forum
·2 min read
An Ohio Department of Health mobile unit will offer free COVID-19 vaccines (primary or booster doses) for anyone ages 3 years and older from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday in the paved area between the Old Merchants Building and the Youth Building at the Crawford County Fairgrounds.
An Ohio Department of Health mobile unit will offer free COVID-19 vaccines (primary or booster doses) for anyone ages 3 years and older from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday in the paved area between the Old Merchants Building and the Youth Building at the Crawford County Fairgrounds.

The Ohio Department of Health will debut a new mobile unit that provides free blood pressure, A1C, cholesterol and BMI screenings at the Crawford County Fair on Thursday.

Both the new CORE-4 Health Screening Unit and another unit that provides free COVID-19 vaccines (primary or booster doses) for anyone ages 3 years and older will be at the fairgrounds 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday in the paved area between the Old Merchants Building and the Youth Building, not too far off the midway, according to a news release from Crawford County Public Health.

Thursday is Veterans and Senior Citizens Day at the fair — all vets and seniors pay $4 at the gate.

The CORE-4 Health Screening Unit will offer free blood pressure, A1C (diabetes), cholesterol and BMI (weight) screenings. No insurance card is needed for either mobile unit and all services are free. These efforts are part of public health’s goals to protect and improve the health of all by preventing disease and promoting good health, according to the news release.

“The COVID-19 pandemic definitely served as a reminder that all aspects of our health are important,” Kate Siefert, Crawford County health commissioner, said in the news release. “The 2022 Crawford County Community Health Assessment found that two of the most prevalent factors for heart disease and diabetes in our area include high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Screening for these conditions and knowing if you are at risk for a chronic disease can help you make better informed decisions with your healthcare provider. Free access to services and health screenings are just one way we can support those efforts, no matter what age or life stage we find ourselves in.”

The mobile units will be fully staffed with medical professionals providing these health services in a private, confidential manner, according to the news release. There is no appointment needed, no fee and no need to bring an insurance card.

People who already have received an initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and will be receiving an additional dose should bring along their vaccine card to ensure it is updated. Participants may choose to receive all of the free services available or may opt to select from the services provided.

Siefert said the units are scheduled to return to Bucyrus during the Bratwurst Festival, Aug. 18-20.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: On Thursday, mobile units will offer free health screenings at fair