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Newport News unveils grant-funded community health bus offering screenings and vaccines
Summary
City leaders highlighted a grant-funded mobile integrated health unit that will provide free screenings, flu shots, mental-health referrals and services for vulnerable populations; staff and partners will operate scheduled stops across the city.
City Manager Alan Fine introduced Newport News’ new mobile integrated health unit at the Nov. 12 council work session and asked Fire Chief Wesley Rogers to describe services currently being offered from the health bus parked outside City Hall.
Chief Rogers said the grant-funded vehicle — a mobile integrated health unit the city calls a 'community health bus' — expands outreach beyond traditional clinics by providing free health screenings, vaccinations (the chief noted flu shots were being given), and connections to mental-health resources and hospital or DHS partners. "If you need your flu shot, please run down and get your flu shot," Rogers told council and attendees.
Rogers said the bus aims to serve multiple populations, including unhoused residents and neighborhoods with limited access to care, and that it represents an evolution from pandemic-era outreach funded in part by federal opportunities. Council members who toured the bus praised the effort as "state of the art" and encouraged continued community announcements so residents know where and when services are available.
Next steps: staff will coordinate scheduling, partner outreach and public communications to expand the bus' stops across the city.
