IDOH vaccine clinics boost vulnerable populations

Amid the Omicron COVID-19 variant surge, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) joined with local health departments, the Indiana National Guard (INNG) and other organizations throughout the state to help test for the highly transmissible virus – and vaccinate against it.

From the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway to fire stations to gas stations, mobile vaccine units were something of a fixture in communities from “the Region” all the way to the Wabash Valley. But a series of clinics in Elkhart showcased the collaboration and commitment to helping people that was central to combating the pandemic, and that series of events, which was aimed at assisting people in vulnerable populations, ended up being a literal “shot in the arm” for adults and children – at a time it was needed most.

Photo caption: A vaccination clinic in Elkhart provided first, second and booster COVID-19 vaccine doses in January. By mid-February, four such clinics had been organized. Weekend operations helped eliminate some of the barriers vulnerable populations face in getting vaccinated.

“There is a huge demand from the Hispanic community for COVID-19 vaccination and testing resources in our county, but they are currently not available or accessible on a regular basis,” said Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition (NIHHC) executive director Liliana Quintero.

Referring to a January clinic that saw 329 vaccines and 123 COVID tests administered in only six hours, Quintero said such events mitigate community challenges.

“This clinic is a direct response to the barriers we are facing as a community including, bilingual staff, weekend services to accommodate factory workers, and a place that is recognized and welcoming to the Hispanic community,” she said.
The Jan. 22 event at Elkhart’s Concord Event Center saw IDOH partner with NIHHC, INNG, and the Elkhart County Health Department (ECHD) to address those needs and provide testing and vaccination opportunities community members otherwise might not have had.

“What we have seen is difficulty in transportation to the site, schedule, getting vaccinated for the whole family,” said Andrew Wilson of the IDOH Emergency Preparedness division. “We have also been told that there can be a ‘fear’ of going to a site that there is confusion of what happens with information gathered during the process. To work through these, we work hand-in-hand with requestors on development of flyers and coordinate with site requests to make sure they have everything feasible for advertisement of the event.”

Quintero said in a news release that the group wants “to help the community get all of their vaccine doses and boosters.”

“They have made the decision to do it – for themselves and their children – and it’s our responsibility to provide that opportunity,” she added.

One of the barriers mentioned by Quintero, weekend clinic accessibility, was remedied by IDOH’s ability to staff a clinic during those hours.

The NIHHC noted that the state health department was the only vaccine provider “willing to do regular clinics on weekends.” Each testing/vaccination event requires partnerships, volunteers, and resources – factors that can be a barrier to helping those who, for any number of reasons, are unable to visit weekday clinics.

“Sites that focus on vulnerable populations come to us periodically from different avenues: state/local agency, private businesses, or groups like NIHHC,” said Wilson. “We try to make sure these are on our schedule ASAP. We also work directly with the requestor, making sure additional accommodations are met (interpreters, location feasibility, times).”

Photo caption: A child receives a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic in Elkhart in January. In all, 329 vaccines were administered during the six-hour event.

The Jan. 22 event was the third such clinic in Elkhart. Wilson explained how the clinic came to be.

“Sites for the mobile units are set up through a portal that allows the location to request a MVU team to come to a designated location and serve the community identified in the request,” he said. “This also allows a representative from our team to reach out to a point of contact with the requestor to discuss the logistics of the site – looking at things like space needed to run a site, parking, safety (traffic, weather, etc.) and dates and times.”

Wilson said a follow-up clinic to allow for second doses will often be set up, particularly if it’s found to be effective in helping vulnerable populations. IDOH works with the point of contact to determine when and where that can happen.

“Any time we can serve vulnerable populations, we schedule [clinics] trying to make sure that no interferences occur, but it’s done completely in coordination with individuals in the area that are in need of our assistance.”

More than two dozen staff members and volunteers from IDOH, ECHD, INNG, and NIHHC helped 66 people receive their first COVID-19 vaccine dose. An additional 33 people got their second dose, and 174 received a booster. There were also 56 doses administered to children. Happening as it was in the thick of the Omicron surge, the team performed 107 rapid tests which revealed a 30 percent positivity rate.

NIHHC said in a press release that it seeks to provide “bilingual, culturally sensitive services in locations where community members feel comfortable and safe, ensuring that everyone has access to the vaccine.”

Quintero described accessibility of these services as “critical” to the community. She lauded IDOH and other organizations that helped make the clinic a success during a pivotal moment of the pandemic.

“We are so grateful for our partnerships, going the extra mile, supporting our efforts, and serving the community,” she said.

NIHHC Marketing and Events coordinator Alexandria Sanchez expressed gratitude in an email to several of the primary IDOH staff involved in the clinic.

“The NIHHC team is so thankful for all the work and time you devoted to the COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinic on Saturday,” Sanchez wrote. “A very special thank you to Andrew (Wilson), who helped with scheduling and getting access to Zotec, and our lead organizer, Michaellyn (Greyeyes) who was from start-to-finish a key component of a successful clinic day. Thank you for your organization and attention to detail that helped the COVID-19 clinic run smoothly and serve many.”

Megan Lytle, Emergency Preparedness division director, had high praise for her team’s work as well.

“I am so proud of Andrew and his team,” she said.

Lytle said that, from the beginning, the primary focus and intent of the mobile units would be “to serve those that struggle to have access – whatever the need may be.”

For Wilson, being able to provide the types of services offered by the mobile clinics is a key element of helping people stay healthy.

“Our goals include increasing the number of individuals vaccinated to help reduce the negative side effects of not getting vaccinated,” he explained. “The possibility that any type of clinic might be able to assist these same communities is always exciting to think about.”

Lytle is looking toward the future as well, which is set to include partnerships with other divisions, such as HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis, Lead and Healthy Homes, the Epidemiology Resource Center, Immunizations, and Maternal and Child Health – among others.

“I believe identifying the ‘heart’ within the community is absolutely critical,” Lytle said. “I have had the absolute privilege and honor to witness firsthand, albeit hesitantly, visitors come for service to one of our sites and leave not only with the service they were seeking, but calling/texting their friends and family, validating our operations and convincing them to come as well. That’s what keeps me coming to work.”

Story by Brent Brown, Indiana Department of Health
Photos provided by Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition (NIHHC)