Vaccines & Wellness – Building Healthy Futures Day at The Free Clinic

Event Overview

The Free Clinic invites the Cleveland and greater Cleveland community to Vaccines & Wellness – Building Healthy Futures Day — a free, fun, and informative event focused on vaccine education, myth-busting, preventive health tips, and connecting families to ongoing barrier-free care.

Our primary care team (Dr. Thalira Vossend, Dr. Jorvik Haleen, Nurse Practitioner Elowen Drayce), public health educator (Azriel Thorne, MPH), and case managers will lead relaxed conversations, Q&A sessions, and resource sharing. We’ll address common questions about vaccines (flu, COVID, childhood, adult boosters, travel), link to free immunizations where available through partnerships, and highlight how preventive care ties into our full services: primary medical, dental, mental health, substance use support, HIV services, and social resource navigation.

This is a celebration of protection, preparedness, and community health — no shots required to attend, but plenty of education and support for those interested. All activities are 100% free, welcoming, non-judgmental, and open to everyone.

Date and Time

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026 (during National Immunization Awareness Month)
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Format: Drop-in (no appointment needed; come for any part of the day)
Duration: 5 hours of rotating talks, activities, and informal consultations

Location

The Free Clinic
3100 East 45th Street
Cleveland, OH 44127, United States

Free on-site parking available. Accessible by RTA bus routes 15 and 19-19A-19B. Bike racks on-site. Facility is fully ADA-compliant with ramps, accessible restrooms, and parking — contact us for accommodations.

Highlights & Activities

Supported by our multidisciplinary team and community education focus:

Vaccine Education & Myth-Busting Stations: Interactive booths with facts on vaccine safety, effectiveness, schedules for kids/adults/seniors, and answers to common concerns (led by Azriel Thorne and clinical providers).
Short Informative Talks & Q&A (15–25 min, repeating):
- “Vaccines 101: Protecting Yourself & Your Family” (11:00 AM & 1:30 PM)
- “Adult & Senior Immunizations: What You Need Now” (11:45 AM & 2:15 PM)
- “Vaccines & Chronic Conditions: Staying Healthy Year-Round” (12:30 PM)
- “Back-to-School Wellness: Prep for a Healthy Year” (1:00 PM)
Preventive Health Connections Hub: Chat informally with providers about linking immunizations to free ongoing care — blood pressure/glucose checks info, chronic disease management, dental preventive tips, mental health resources, case management for benefits/housing/food (Fiora Laveau & team).
Family & Kid-Friendly Zone:
- Wellness games and coloring sheets about germs & protection
- Healthy snack demos and nutrition tips for immune support
- Free giveaways: educational materials, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, branded items
Resource Fair: Info on local partners for additional vaccine access, travel health, and social supports.

Interpretation services in multiple languages — request on arrival or call ahead.

Who Should Attend?

Everyone in the community is welcome, especially:

Families preparing for back-to-school
Parents/caregivers with questions about childhood or teen vaccines
Adults/seniors interested in flu, pneumonia, shingles, or other boosters
Those managing chronic conditions or wanting preventive guidance
Immigrants/newcomers navigating U.S. health recommendations
Anyone curious about vaccines without pressure to get one on-site

Bring family and friends — open conversations build trust!

How to Prepare

Wear comfortable clothing
Bring any vaccine records or questions (no obligation)
Masks optional; hand hygiene stations provided

Registration and Contact

Walk-ins encouraged! For questions, accessibility requests, or more info:

Phone: (216) 766-0492 (business hours)
Email: [email protected]

Why Join Us?

Vaccines prevent serious illness, protect vulnerable community members, and reduce healthcare burdens — yet myths and access barriers persist. This event promotes accurate info, builds confidence, and connects people to The Free Clinic’s year-round free services for comprehensive wellness.

On August 8, let’s empower healthier futures together — knowledge is protection!