Staff Report

Hays County – As part of its new Healthy Hays Forum Series, the Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) will host Immunization and Vaccine Community Forums on August 18 (in Spanish) and August 25 (in English) at Gemstone Palace at 1101 Bunton Creek Rd in Kyle. 

Local pediatricians and epidemiologists will share information on the importance of vaccines and respond to questions from the public. 

• Both events will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. 

• The events are come-and-go style from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. 

• The presentation is from 6:15 p.m.to 7:15 p.m. 

• Then, it’s come-and-go from 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. 

Attendees are encouraged to explore the local community health resources on display during the events including Hays County Local Health Department, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), CommuniCare, Austin Regional Clinics (ARC), National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), Hays Latinos United and Mano Amiga. 

“Hays County Local Health Department wants to help the community be educated about which vaccines your child needs over the years and how these vaccines really do help protect your child,” said Matthew Gonzales, Health Equity and Community Engagement Program Manager. “We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future and to being a resource for the people of Hays County.” 

The HCLHD plans to host at least one community forum covering a different topic each month. Upcoming topics include Hispanic/Latino health and sexual health. Future forums will be held in different locations. 

For more information about the health forums, visit the Hays County Local Health Department’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/HaysCountyLocalHealthDepartment/ or contact Community Outreach Specialist Austin Baier at austin.baier@co.hays.tx.us.