Question: What ever became of the “mobile vaccination” unit the Ashland Health Department put together and staffed with a nurse to take the vaccines to the Amish? Lot of chatter (a) while back… So, what’s happening?
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ASHLAND — In April 2023, the Ashland County Health Department purchased a $230,000 van, outfitted as a mobile health clinic.
The van was meant to provide vaccinations to the Amish and “isolated populations” across the county, according to previous Ashland Source reporting.
That van made its debut in June of that same year at Hillside Church of Rowsburg in Polk. Per a release from the Health Department, it traveled the area throughout much of last summer, popping up at 13 events from June-September of 2023. Nurses administered 119 health screenings and 63 vaccinations at those events.
In 2024, Ashland Source reported the unit planned to be at several events in the county beginning in February, and going through October.
But during the winter months, the mobile health clinic’s use is limited, stated county health commissioner Vickie Taylor. It can only serve one patient at a time, which requires people waiting on service to brave the elements. Plus, the registration clerk’s workstation is also outdoors.
“For this reason, we store the Mobile Clinic in an indoor facility during the winter,” Taylor said in an email. “During colder months, we remain committed to serving our community by continuing to provide COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for homebound residents in Ashland County.
“Our dedicated nursing team makes home visits to administer these vaccines, especially before the holiday season, ensuring optimal protection during gatherings. The same services offered through the Mobile Clinic are always available at the health department, ensuring continuity of care year-round.”
Taylor said the county health’s nursing department has already begun planning Mobile Clinic events for 2025. That schedule will include both community events, like the Loudonville Street Fair, and targeted events. Taylor said those targeted events include ones like private vaccine clinics for businesses and Amish Health and Safety Day.
Other mobile care options
Beyond the Health Department’s mobile clinic, Christina Spring — a family nurse practitioner — opened her own mobile medical care practice last December. She took the privately-owned Ashland MobileMed from a part-time venture to a full-time one in July.
She, too, hopes to reach the county’s Amish population with her services. Spring also helps Ashland residents who need their healthcare at home for any reason. Spring does both telehealth and at-home visits for individual patients with her mobile care unit.
Since Ashland MobileMed became a full-time venture in July, Springer said she’d expanded her services.
In addition to primary care, she has her dispensing license and can distribute antibiotics or medications on her visits for common ailments. She has the ability to perform COVID, flu and strep tests as well, and hopes to be able to do labs for her patients on home visits in the future.
“(I’m) just trying to offer as much as possible to patients,” Spring said. “I feel like we have a large population of patients without insurance or (who) have such high deductibles that they can’t really afford their healthcare.”
She charges $100 for a house call, and $50 for a telehealth appointment. Spring said she sees around 400 patients with Ashland MobileMed. But, she expects that number to continue to grow as word spreads about her business.
Those interested in Spring’s services can schedule an appointment via her website.
Third Street Family Health Services, based in Mansfield, also has a mobile health and wellness center. That center provides dental and primary medical care, according to Third Street’s website. It serves several counties in north-central Ohio, including Ashland County.
