Galveston County and Cities – On Thursday, April 8, the Galveston County Health District will observe National Public Health Week and National Immunization Week by recognizing Public Health Partners, presenting Gold Ribbon Awards to exemplary food service establishments, and offering free immunizations. Events will take place at several locations.  

In commemoration of vaccines being one of the greatest accomplishments in public health, free vaccinations will be available April 8, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Texas City Immunization Clinic, 2000 Texas Avenue; and the Dickinson Immunization Clinic at 3411 Gulf Freeway.    

At 10 a.m., a public health celebration will be held at Mall of the Mainland.  There will be a variety of health information available from community health partners and FREE immunizations for adults and children. At 1 p.m. there will be a ceremony during which 2010 “Public Health Partners” will be announced and recognized.    

“We believe it takes the whole community to protect the public’s health.  Our partners are essential and we are pleased to recognize them. Much valuable effort goes on behind the scenes to keep our community safe and healthy.” says Dr. Mark Guidry, CEO of the Galveston County Health District.    

At 6:30 p.m., “Gold Ribbon” awards for excellent food service operators will be presented during a ceremony at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in La Marque. Galveston County Commissioners Stephen Holmes and Brian Lamb will be on hand to congratulate sixty-six 2010 recipients. The awards were initiated 14 years ago to identify food service establishments that show exemplary compliance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules as enforced by the Galveston County Health District.  

Gold Ribbon award criteria includes the following:  the establishment must actually prepare food, maintain a record of satisfactory food temperatures, must have no confirmed food borne illness complaints, must have at least one certified food service manager employed, must have no significant number of demerits from inspections, must have a good cleaning and maintenance program, have evidence of staff discussions or training, and show special effort to comply with the rules by the use of food safety aids.   

Health District sanitarians inspect more than 1,500 licensed food service operations in Galveston County to assure food safety and protect the health of consumers. Food Service inspection scores and a complete list of 2010 Gold Ribbon Award winners can be found on the District’s web site at www.gchd.org.