Immunization Clinic opens on Strickland Drive

A new immunization clinic near Baptist Hospital Orange at 1502 Strickland Drive is opening later this week, county officials say.

The clinic will be open daily, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offer a selection of vaccines, not just COVID-19 immunizations, said Joel Ardoin, Emergency Management Coordinator for Orange County.

"It will offer all of the immunizations people typically need, like school shots and flu vaccines," Ardoin said.

"But you have to call to make an appointment."

The number to call is 409-550-2536, and wait for the prompt for Orange County.

That's the same number folks have been calling for months to get COVID tests and COVID vaccines at the County Expo Center.

But that location is ceasing the shots, with the same crew from the Hardin County Health Services, plus some new recruits, moving along with the immunizations.

Orange County is in the early stages of long-term planning to reopen its own health department after many years of not having the need for one.

But Hardin County has assisted Orange County since the new coronavirus was declared a worldwide health threat.

It has claimed nearly 5 million deaths worldwide since early last year, more than 700,000 in the United States.

Funding for an immunization center in Orange was obtained by Hardin and Orange County officials as part of a $4 million federal healthcare grant.