On Monday, April 5th VNA Health Care launched #VaccinateWill! in partnership with the Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project (SSIP), the offices of Congressman Bill Foster and State Representative Dagmara Avelar. Preceding this three-day vaccination event, VNA held a press conference with these partners and community leaders, Mayor John D. Noak, Congresswoman Marie Newman and Senator John O’Connor. This three-day mass vaccination clinic was held at VNA’s Health Center in Romeoville and a follow-up event was scheduled at this location three weeks later where individuals received their second doses.
“Our black and brown communities have been hit the hardest during the pandemic,” said José E. Vera, JD, executive director of SSIP, during the press conference. “Language barriers, the digital divide and transportation in the suburbs play a big role in why our black and brown communities have not had access to the vaccine,” Vera said.
VNA is committed to working with our community leaders to improve access to vaccination services for individuals at increased risk of health disparities. These bilingual mass-vaccination events are just one way to help ensure vaccine equity. Other strategies include delivery of vaccinations within our health centers and taking services directly to people in their homes if they are unable to come out to an event or clinic visit.