CCC Statement in Response to City’s Plan to Close 2 of the City’s 3 Immunization Clinics

Released August 7, 2013

Contact: Elysia Murphy, (212) 673-1800 x18, emurphy@cccnewyork.org

from Stephanie Gendell, Associate Executive Director for Budget, Policy Analysis and Government Relations

CCC is deeply troubled to have learned that the City is planning to close two of the City’s remaining three Immunization Clinics.  These clinics, located in the Tremont section of the Bronx and Corona in Queens currently ensure that thousands of children receive critical immunizations, including measles, mumps, rubella, Hepatitis B, tetanus and many more.  Ironically and appallingly, these closures are slated to happen this August- right in the middle of National Immunization Awareness Month.

August marks the time of year when families prepare for the upcoming school year. Preparing for back-to-school goes beyond gathering school supplies and finalizing class schedules—and  also includes ensuring children’s immunizations are up-to-date.  This is why August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Keeping children current on their vaccinations helps all students stay healthy and school-ready.

As parents and providers are doubling their efforts to ensure children are vaccinated, the City is planning to close two of its three remaining immunization clinics. These closures are occurring with little warning and no opportunity for public input. All of the City’s three immunization clinics are vital to the vulnerable families who depend on them for access to affordable immunization services that may not otherwise be readily available in and around the community. Closing the Tremont and Corona clinics will crowd wait rooms and extend wait-times for the other clinics absorbing displaced patients, and could mean some children will not receive necessary immunizations in time for school—or at all! Closing these clinics  is counterproductive and, simply, the wrong course of action.

CCC urges the Administration to keep these clinics open permanently.  At a minimum, the City needs to keep these open until the start of the school year, provide details about how and where displaced families will be able to access immunizations in the future, and  offer the public an opportunity to meaningfully weigh-in on any clinic closure plans.

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