The Care-a-Van is a mobile health clinic that serves people across Washington state. We work closely with community partners and local health jurisdictions (LHJ) or departments to increase access to health services for priority communities. To submit a request to have a DOH Care-a-Van at your event, please fill out the online form below and someone will reach out to you within 5-10 business days from the date of submission.
To help us better coordinate, we ask that you submit your requests at least 30 days in advance of the event. You do not need to have all the event details finalized before submitting a request form. Requests will be fulfilled based on Care-a-Van staff and vaccinator availability. For questions about the Care-a-Van, email care-a-van@doh.wa.gov.
Click the "Request Service" button below to submit a request. To request this form in another format or language, please email equity@doh.wa.gov or call 800-525-0127. Language assistance is available.
Clinics will be held Tuesday through Saturday, with each clinic limited to 4 hours.
COVID vaccines are no cost for uninsured and underinsured. All patient insurance will be collected and billed according to their plan.
We are unable to vaccinate patients with Tri-State and Kaiser insurances because they are out of network and we are unable to bill.
Flu vaccines are no cost for uninsured. All patient insurance will be collected and billed according to their plan.
Site Prioritization
The Care-a-Van serves communities most impacted by healthcare inequities. Requests that cover multiple categories below will be prioritized:
- Communities with a high rank on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) for COVID-19.
- Social vulnerability refers to the potential negative effects on communities caused by external stresses on human health. Such stresses include natural or human-caused disasters, or disease outbreaks. Reducing social vulnerability can decrease both human suffering and economic loss. Learn more about how the CDC uses the SVI. Learn more about the DOH Social Vulnerability COVID-19 Map.
- Demographic groups with lower vaccination rates compared to others.
- Groups underrepresented in current DOH data systems that have likely experienced health disparities and vaccine inequities. (Elderly, children, unhoused populations)
- Requests submitted at least 30 days prior to the date of the event.
- Requests that help Care-a-Van serve people more equitably based on location in the state.
- Requests in which other community services will be available at their events.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I find a Care-a-Van clinic?
- Who can request a Care-a-Van?
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Any organization can request a Care-a-Van. However, those falling into categories listed in the *Site Prioritization section will be prioritized. (See Site Prioritization)
- Will every request receive a Care-a-Van?
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Requests will be fulfilled based on Care-a-Van staff and vaccinator availability. Please note that although we would like to support every request by providing the Care-a-Van:
- Requests may be fulfilled by the local health jurisdiction (LHJ) or health department as part of our practice of collaboration and coordination.
- Requests may be fulfilled solely by one of our vaccine contractors.
- Requests may not be fulfilled if they are submitted with less than 30 days' notice.
- Requests may not be fulfilled if multiple clinics are already available in that geographic area.
- Requests may not be fulfilled if we have multiple conflicting events.
- Requests may not be fulfilled if they do not meet the criteria to be supported by a DOH Care-a-Van. (See Site Prioritization)
- Requests may not be fulfilled if the requested length is more than four hours. If a requested clinic is longer than four hours, a Care-a-Van member will evaluate the request and determine if there is a need for extended time.
- Requests may not be fulfilled if the event is not open to the public.
To help increase the likelihood of being supported by the Care-a-Van, please submit your requests at least 30 days in advance of the event.
- How will I know if my request will be fulfilled by the Care-a-Van?
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Within 3-4 business days you will receive an email confirming we have received your request and are beginning planning. This email confirms that your event will likely be supported, but the type of support you will receive (Care-a-Van, vaccine contractor, or local health jurisdiction/department) will be confirmed in 5-10 business days.
If the Care-a-Van supports your event, we will then coordinate a brief planning call, if needed, to discuss the logistics of your event and make sure we have all the information we need to plan for a successful clinic.
- How many attendees are required to host a Care-a-Van?
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We choose events by prioritizing communities and groups who are most impacted by health inequities. Please fill out a request form regardless of how many people you think may attend your event. If the Care-a-Van is not the ideal option based on the event size, we will work with you to find vaccine options that will work.
- What type of space is needed to host a Care-a-Van?
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The Care-a-Van comes with all the necessary equipment and supplies to host indoor and outdoor events.
For outdoor events, we require enough space for at least two 10x10 canopies/tents and some extra space for patient observation.
For indoor clinics Care-a-Van may show up without the van if the venue can supply tables and chairs. This way the van can be sent to clinics that need the equipment. Indoor clinics will need space for at least 3-4 tables and minimum 14 chairs. If you are unsure if you can provide this, please schedule a planning meeting after your event is confirmed to further discuss.
- What services are provided through the Care-a-Van?
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Upon availability, the Care-a-Van offers COVID-19 vaccines, flu vaccines, Mpox vaccines, childhood vaccines, blood pressure screenings, and blood glucose screenings.
New Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations for ages 6 months and older are available.
2024-2025 Flu vaccine for ages 6 months and older, upon availability. Learn more about flu vaccines.
Mpox vaccine is available for all ages 19 years and up for uninsured patients only. Learn more about Mpox.
Childhood vaccines are available for all ages 6 months through 18 years. Learn more about childhood vaccines.
Blood glucose screenings are informational only and available for all ages 10 years and up. Learn more about diabetes and blood glucose.
Blood pressure screenings are informational only and available for all ages 3 years old and up. Learn more about blood pressure.
- What are the roles and qualifications of the Care-a-Van team?
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The Care-a-Van team is made up of Department of Health (DOH) staff and contracted vaccine providers.
The DOH staff are responsible for driving the van (when needed), bringing supplies and educational materials, assisting with registration and clinic flow, assessing community member needs, providing referrals, and helping set up and break down the clinic.
The contracted vaccine providers are made up of doctors, nurses, and medical assistants that administer the vaccines. Additional contracted staff handle administrative duties, such as patient registration, filling out vaccine cards, and overseeing the observation area.
- What additional support is provided by the Care-a-Van?
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If requested, the Care-a-Van can help develop promotional materials for the event and conduct outreach to community partners in the area to spread the word.
- What support is needed from the requesting organization/host?
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The Care-a-Van is self-sufficient in its ability to operate a mobile clinic; however, support is always appreciated. Requesting organizations play a vital role by providing the clinic space/venue and promoting the event. Requesting organizations can also support by providing volunteers, assisting with translating/interpreting, and having accessible restrooms, electricity, and drinking water.
- How much does Care-a-Van charge?
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For the Requesting Organization/Location:
Care-a-Van comes at no cost for the hosting organization.
For Care-a-Van Patients:
Care-a-Van services are no cost, with one exception. People with health insurance indicating that our mobile health services are out-of-network may be billed for flu or COVID-19 vaccinations.
Upcoming Care-a-Van Events
Upon availability, Care-a-Van clinics will offer:
- New 2024-2025 Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 products for ages 6 months and up
- Flu vaccine for ages 6 months and up
- Mpox vaccinations for ages 18 years and up
- Childhood vaccinations for ages 6 months through 18 years
- Blood pressure screenings for ages 3 years and up
- Blood glucose screenings for ages 10 years and up
- People with health insurance indicating that our services are out-of-network may be billed for flu or COVID-19 vaccinations
If no registration link is available, clinics will see patients on a walk-in basis. If you have any questions about Care-a-Van clinics, please contact care-a-van@doh.wa.gov.