Shots and Smiles in Santaland
Necessity, it is said, is the mother of invention. So, a decade ago, when Shelly Foint, public health nurse for North Pole, Alaska, learned that the only doctor in town would no longer be providing immunization shots to school children, she hatched a creative plan.
It’s not that the sole general practitioner in North Pole didn’t believe in vaccinations to protect against childhood diseases. Shelly recalls that his decision had more to do with disliking paperwork and not having enough staff to complete the required documentation to administer routine vaccines to children.
Unfortunately, it was an abrupt change for access to vaccines in the local community, says Shelly, who is now the nurse manager at the Fairbanks Public Health Center. “And my immediate reaction was ‘Well, let’s see what we can to help.’”
Shelly talked to her supervisor at the time and suggested they start an immunization clinic in North Pole to make it easier for parents in the community to get their children ready for the school year. Her supervisor liked the idea but first they needed a plan.
“The first step was to complete a community needs assessment,” Shelly says, which helps Public Health Nursing know what gaps exist in a community and what health care services are needed. “So, I got all the necessary data together and submitted that to my supervisor. Then, we were approved to offer immunizations on a trial basis. The last step was to find a location in town willing to host the clinic.”
That’s when Shelly hit upon the notion of partnering with the local fire department. What child doesn’t love visiting the fire department with its big red fire engines?
She reached out to the North Pole fire department and Chief Chad Heineken. “The immunization clinic fit right in with our mission to provide for the health and safety of our community,” says Chief Heineken. “We provide a family-friendly environment for kids and their parents, and we’re happy to do so.”
 Children and families line up to climb into a fire truck at the monthly North Pole immunization clinic.
The immunization clinic trial proved to be an immediate success and was quickly established as regular monthly event. North Pole residents now know the fire station is the place to go the third Thursday of every month to get the vaccines they want and need. While the recent pandemic disrupted the regular schedule a bit, the North Pole immunization clinic has been going strong for more than 10 years now. The clinic is now once again bringing families to the town’s fire station every month so children can stay up-to-date with routine childhood immunizations.
Here's the information for the next upcoming clinic:
Thursday, July 21, 3-6pm
North Pole Fire Department, 110 Lewis St
All childhood vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines available for ages 6 months and older
Hosted by Fairbanks Public Health Nurses 907-452-1776
The clinic has served more than 260 individuals over the years, ranging in age from infants to 81. As the clinic has ramped up again in recent months, COVID-19 vaccines are also a popular choice for people wishing to increase their immunity from the deadly virus.
 Firefighters with the North Pole Fire Department explain how they fight fires during a monthly immunization clinic.
And while it may be a stretch to suggest that North Pole’s school kids love rolling up their sleeves to get a shot, the needle pokes are softened a bit by being able to spend time with firefighters from their community.
 Firefighters with the North Pole Fire Department explain the gear they need to wear to protect themselves while fighting fires.
It’s full summer right now, so enjoy it, but if you’re one of those families that has fallen behind on routine immunizations, now is a great time to catch up and schedule a well child exam too. If you or your children don’t have a health care provider, contact your local Public Health Center or call the Helpline at 907-646-3322 Mondays through Fridays to ask about health care resources in your community.
For more information about what shots are required to attend public schools in Alaska:
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