Free Health Services Available in South Texas Next Week

News Release
July 17, 2019

Operation Lone Star, the annual emergency preparedness exercise coordinated by the Texas Department of State Health Services, returns to six South Texas sites July 22-26. Among the free health services available at all locations are child immunizations, hearing and vision screenings, diabetes and blood pressure screenings, and sports physicals.

In addition, the Rio Grande City site will provide preventive dental services for school-age children, and dental services and vision exams for prescription glasses for adults and children will be available at the Mission and San Juan locations. People who already have a prescription can get glasses at the Brownsville, Harlingen and Laredo locations. 

An annual event first staged in 1999, Operation Lone Star provided services to 9,346 people last year. The preparedness exercise allows emergency responders to practice setting up and operating clinics similar to those that could be used in the event of a public health emergency. The clinics are a cooperative effort of DSHS, Cameron County Public Health Department, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services, City of Laredo Health Department, the Texas Military Department, and community volunteer organizations.

All clinics will be open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. For more information, contact your local health department or dial 2-1-1.

Locations
Brownsville: Porter Early College High School, 3500 International Blvd.
Harlingen: Harlingen School of Health Professions, 1901 Rio Hondo Road
Laredo: United South High School – Ninth Grade Campus, 3819 Aguanieve Drive
Mission: Juarez-Lincoln High School, 7801 W. Mile Seven Road
Rio Grande City: Ac2E Magnet Elementary, 1 S. Fort Ringgold
San Juan: PSJA Early College High School, 805 W. Ridge Road

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(News Media Contact: Lara Anton, DSHS Press Officer, 512-776-7753)