8 THE QUEENS COURIER • AUGUST 15, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com THE COURIER/ Photo by Angy Altamirano The City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) announced the Corona Health Center will be one of two immunization walk-in clinics closing in New York City on August 21. Community concerned over clinic closures BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] A move to close two major immunization walk-in clinics has left community members looking for answers. The City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) announced it will shutter the Corona Health Center, located at 34-33 Junction Boulevard, and the Tremont Health Center in the Bronx on August 21. Together with community leaders and elected offi cials, members of District Council 37 (DC 37), a public employee union, rallied in front of the Corona clinic on Wednesday, August 14 to stop the DOHMH’s plans. The group also said the community has not been told of the closings and questions the motive to close a clinic which has shown to be fully utilized and very effectively run. Lillian Roberts, executive director of DC 37, called the closings “a threat to public health and safety” and noted they would come right when children are going back to school. Sharon Braxton, a school nurse from P.S./1.S. 270 in Rosedale, said she refers all parents to the Corona clinic and without easy access to immunizations, many children might be taken out of school. “Parents in this community already have a hard time fi nding a seat for their children in a real classroom,” said State Senator Jose Peralta. “Now the city wants to make it harder for them to get their kids immunized for school.” According to Councilmember Daniel Dromm, the Corona Health Center is in the heart of a heavy immigrant community where access to affordable health care is already limited. “I just can’t believe they are going to close it,” said Dromm. “Elmhurst Hospital is already so overwhelmed and this is only going to add to their burden. It’s a very poor health decision. It’s going to have a devastating effect on the community.” The walk-in clinics offered children over four years old, teens and adults immunizations for conditions including hepatitis, tetanus, measles, mumps, infl uenza and rubella. According to DC 37, last year the Corona clinic served 4,286 children, and administered close to 6,600 Hepatitis-B and 3,100 infl uenza vaccines. “The loss of these immunization clinics will not only create a burden for hundreds of New Yorkers who currently rely on their service, but it could also lead to signifi cant public health risks,” said Councilmember Julissa Ferreras. After the Corona and Tremont clinics are closed, the Fort Greene Health Center, located at 295 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, will be the only immunization walk-in clinic in New York City offering free and low-cost immunizations. “This is not a decision that the Department takes lightly,” said the DOHMH in a statement. “While we are reluctant to close clinics, the agency has decided to restructure and consolidate services to preserve essential functions and reduce overall cost of operations, knowing that less than one percent of all vaccinations in New York City occur at our clinics.” According to the DOHMH, the Fort Greene center will remain open fi ve days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and there are still 50 primary providers in the Bronx and 22 in Queens that provide free or low-cost immunizations. Yet, according to Judith Arroyo, president of the United Federation of Nurses and Epidemiologists Local 436, the community has not been made aware where these primary providers are located and the extent of their aid. The DOHMH also said no staff will be laid off as a result of the closings. Peralta and Dromm have each sent letters of opposition to the department’s plans to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and DOHMH Commissioner Thomas Farley. #1 in Transportation for Northeast Queens Residents! GLEN BELLE CAR SERVICE Call to Inquire about our Summer Savings “Will Beat any Competitor’s Rate by 10%” 718.347.3222 Family Owned & Operated! NAME ____________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________ 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB TLC-Base- #B-01250 $5 OFF ANY AIRPORT RIDE Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Offers ends 8/31/13 $2 OFF ANY RIDE Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Offer ends 8/31/13 SENIOR DISCOUNTS Newest Fleet. Lincoln Town Cars, Sedans, Mini-Vans, 14 Passenger Vans, & Ambulettes 24 Hour Service 7 Days NAME ____________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________
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