UAMS Community Health and Research (UAMS CHR) partnered with local community organizations and the City of Springdale to provide car seats and COVID-19 and flu vaccines to Northwest Arkansas families.
Car seat training was provided by CHR Family Wellness staff and police officers from across Northwest Arkansas. According to the Centers for Disease Control, car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by more than 70 percent for children, compared to seat belt use. Using a booster seat can reduce the risk for serious injury by 45 percent.
“Educating families on the importance of child passenger safety and ensuring that families have the appropriate car seats and boosters for their child’s age and size is our best chance at reducing crash related injuries,” said Krista Langston, UAMS CHR Senior Director of Community Programs.
Car seats were provided by Springdale Police Department and the UAMS Community Health and Research Buckle Up for Life program, and licensed car seat technicians from Northwest Arkansas police departments, Marshallese Educational Initiative, and UAMS CHR helped properly install the seats. About 75 car seats were provided to families in Northwest Arkansas.
For more information about car seat safety, click here or watch the Buckle Up for Life video below. To learn more about the CHR Family Wellness programs, click here.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines were provided through a joint effort between CHR, the Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese. Eighty-eight COVID shots and 135 flu shots were provided. Booster and pediatric vaccines were also available.
The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all adults and children 5 and older. COVID-19 vaccines for adults – including booster shots – are available at the UAMS Northwest drive-thru clinic Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The clinic is closed daily from 1-2 p.m. for lunch. Pediatric vaccines are available at the drive-thru clinic Monday-Friday from 3-5:30 p.m.
Appointments for vaccination at the drive-thru clinic are preferred, but not required. To schedule your appointment, call 479-332-0222.
Find local flu clinics and upcoming events here.