Will Texas Exceed 4,000 Vaccinations in 2024

The Texas Department of State Health Services today announced it celebrates the 25th anniversary this month of the Operation Border Health Preparedness (OBHP) exercise, with no-cost health clinics planned at five different locations for South Texas residents to utilize.

These are essential services as Texas is currently reporting increases in diseases such as Dengue (16).

Services vary from location to location, so visit Services at OBHP 2024 or call 2-1-1 to confirm which services are offered in each specific area.

In 2023, OBHP provided 27,427 health services to 6,641 patients, including about 4,000 immunizations during the exercise.

“DSHS is extremely proud to celebrate this milestone with our partners and the communities that have embraced this exercise for a quarter of a century,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, in a press release on July 18, 2024.

“Services available to residents are extensive, and the experience gained by communities and emergency planners will help with disaster preparation and response in the future.”  

DSHS is partnering with OBHP in 2024 with Hidalgo County Health and Human Services, Cameron County Public Health, Willacy County, Starr County, Laredo Public Health, Texas Military Department, Texas State Guard, Texas A&M University, local nursing schools, and other nonprofit groups.