NEW YORK—Lincoln Hospital and the New York Yankees organized an immunization camp at Yankee Stadium on August 20th, to ensure that children between the ages of 6 and 13 receive vaccinations required by New York City schools.
Over 200 children from across the city showed up with their parents to the Sony Stadium Club, a relaxing area within the Yankees Stadium. Doctors, nurses, and medical students from Lincoln Hospital provided professional and friendly service to the young patients at no cost.
“This is the second year we’ve done this. We had such great success last year, immunizing around 200 kids, 250 kids to be exact, and made sure they were ready to start school on day one last year. The program went over so well, we wanted to do it again this year. So we opened our door once again, we partnered with Lincoln Hospital and we think this is the championship for the event,” said Brian Smith, Senior Vice President of Yankees.
In the Stadium Club, colorful stained-glass windows portraying Yankee players let in a comfortable shade of light. In the tranquil surroundings, each kid received a temperature test prior to his or her vaccine shots, meanwhile administrators informed parents of which shots their child needed, according to an online database. The parents and kids sat comfortably in the Clubroom where food and drinks were available; easing much of the nervous tension that usually accompanies a visit to the doctor.
“A lot of vaccines have actually prevented many deaths in the past, and many of these [vaccines] are actually very beneficial to the families,” said Dr. Katherine Szema from Lincoln Hospital.
Michael Powell, a 10-year-old boy living in Bronx was one of the first kids to receive a shot.
“The staff treated me politely, as if I was going to a fancy restaurant,” said Michael. “The doctors encourage you, and are very heart-warming. If you say that you are scared, they will tell you that it won’t hurt.”
But nevertheless, “Of course it hurts!” revealed Michael at last playfully.
Each child was given a Band-Aid after receiving the shots. The doctors then handed the kids a timer in the shape of a chicken, or an egg. After fifteen minutes elapsed, the adorable timer would do remind the child that he or she was now permitted to leave.
Every child that was vaccinated received a book bag full of goodies, including a Yankees baseball cap, a Frisbee, pencils, ruler, a few coloring books on health, and a lunch box imprinted with a historical photo of Yankee Stadium.
“The Yankees are also giving the first one hundred kids tickets to a home game on September 17th or September 20th,” said Maria Ramos.
This particular reward has an added historic value, since the current Yankee Stadium will be taken down and replaced by the new stadium opening in 2009.
“I think [the immunization campaign] shows teamwork. We are working as a team to make a difference in our community, and when I say we are, I refer to the Yankees and Lincoln Medical Center, people can see that working together you can make a difference. I think that’s what today is about, we are making a difference, and a positive impact in our community,” said Smith.
“We need to motivate our children, especially when they are going to be vaccinated, since most children do not like to see doctors. So we have to find some ways to bring them together and also together with parents. So the fact that they are getting presents from the Yankees, I think it’s a great idea,” said José R. Sánchez, Executive Director of Lincoln Hospital.
