The Austin Public Health Mobile Vaccination Program (MVP) has recently launched an online form that businesses and organizations can complete to request a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic at their facility.
"As we shift our vaccination strategy from large hub sites to smaller, community-based clinics, we need businesses and organizations to step up and provide locations to serve as pop-up clinics," APH Interim Director Adrienne Sturrup said.
Sturrup added: "We have seen success in reaching populations through place-based clinics that are linguistically and culturally appropriate. These efforts include providing clinics at churches, schools, construction sites, businesses, libraries, recreation centers, apartment complexes, flea markets, naturalization ceremonies, and homes."
The MVP has held events recently demonstrating the success of pop-up clinics, including at apartment complexes, churches, and businesses. The MVP also works to vaccinate homebound individuals, their families, and caregivers by providing home vaccination visits. Individuals interested in scheduling a home visit can call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 and leave your name and phone number. To date, more than 5,900 vaccines have been administered through this program.
"We are continuing to work toward the goal of vaccinating 70% of the eligible population with at least one dose by July 4th," said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "While we are incredibly close to this goal across the county, we continue to see zip codes with disproportionate vaccination rates. Ultimately, we need to have a 70% vaccine distribution across all zip codes and demographics."
While APH continues to make it easier to access the vaccine, we encourage vaccine providers and businesses who have the means to provide vaccine perks in our community to do so. The City of Austin has started a SpeakUp Austin page, where businesses and community members can share where to get vaccine perks.
