Free COVID-19, flu vaccinations at The Children's Museum
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations and flu shots to the public on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 4-8 p.m. EST. This free walk-in clinic will not require paid admission to the museum; however, it will be offered during the museum’s $6 First Thursday Night for families and children who may want to attend the monthly discount event.
The specific vaccinations provided include:
- Pfizer shots for children 5-11 years old
- Pfizer shots for adolescents and adults 12 years old and older
- Pfizer booster shots for adults 18 years old and older
- Influenza (flu) vaccine for anyone 6 months and older
Those who receive vaccinations will be required to wait 15 minutes afterward in the unlikely event there is a reaction. The Children’s Museum will provide space with activities in infoZone (Marion County Public Library branch located within the museum on Level 2).
“It’s important to prepare our children’s bodies as best as possible–just like adults–by providing a vaccine that will protect them from becoming seriously ill,” said Dr. Sarah Bosslet, pediatrician at Riley Children’s Health. “The COVID vaccine is very safe and provides excellent protection against hospitalizations and deaths in children. My young children have received the vaccine and are looking forward to spending time with friends, attending birthday parties, enjoying sleepovers and returning to a life where a mask is no longer needed.”
COVID-19 Panel with Questions and Answers
COVID-19 questions continue to swirl. Adults are especially concerned about making big decisions for children. What are the latest updates? The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is pleased to host a panel of medical experts with various specialties, to answer those pressing questions before the free vaccination clinic.
Join us for a virtual Facebook Live event on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST on www.facebook.com/childrensmuseum. If you have questions now, please submit them early by clicking here; or, by adding them to the comment feature on Facebook once the event begins.
Hoosier health experts ready to share their knowledge include:
Dr. Elaine Cox
Chief Medical Officer at Riley Children’s Health
Associate Professor of Medicine, IU School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division
Dr. Cox is a 1990 graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine and recipient of the John Heubi Award for General Pediatrics. She completed an Indiana University School of Medicine pediatric residency in 1993 and is board-certified in Pediatrics with clinical practice in Infectious Disease.
Dr. Virginia Caine
Director of the Marion County Public Health Department
Dr. Caine is a specialist in Infectious Diseases, with a national reputation for her work in AIDS. Dr. Caine earned her medical degree at New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She received her Infectious Diseases fellowship training at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Nir Menachemi, PhD, MPH
Chair of Health Policy and Management Department of the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health; Scientist at the Regenstrief Institute
Since the start of the pandemic, Nir Menachemi has served as principal investigator on the first and largest statewide random sample testing study that has generated breakthrough new knowledge about COVID-19 including an understanding of the asymptomatic rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Moderator
Kathy Mathena, MSN, RN
Chief Information Officer at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Kathy Mathena is a registered nurse and graduate of Indiana School of Nursing with a master of science in Nursing Administration with an Informatics focus. Prior to coming to the museum to serve as the Chief Information Officer, she spent 30 years in executive medical roles.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has been keeping the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers at the forefront. Please visit Health and Safety Procedures for the latest museum protocols and information.
Health and Safety Procedures
To help keep everyone safe, facemasks that cover the nose and mouth are required for all visitors ages 2 and older regardless of vaccination status. To help ensure proper social distancing, the clinic will be limited to those receiving vaccinations or adult/legal guardian(s) accompanying youth under 18 years old for vaccinations.
