Template for upcoming partnerships on community-wide outreach To those who are not vaccinated against covid-19 – 9/18 event in French Camp will soon expand throughout the region
French Camp, California (September 28, 2021) – In partnership with San Joaquin County Public Health Services, San Joaquin County Clinics, and eight community-based organizations (CBOs).
Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) hosted a successful local event on September 18th for residents to receive COVID-19 tests and vaccines in the parking lot of HPSJ’s French Camp office. Collaborating CBOs included Community Medical Centers, Emergency Food Bank, El Concilio, Catholic Charities, Little Manila Rising, San Joaquin Behavioral Health Services, NAMI California, and California Human Development.
The COVID-19 testing and vaccination event served about 50 guests, many of them young adults. Of those attending, 36 guests were tested, 26 guests were vaccinated. This was also an opportunity for HPSJ and partners to learn more about the concerns of community members and share information on preventing the spread of COVID-19.
SNAP Nurse Michelle Bridges administers a COVID-19 vaccination dose at September 18 community event.
The success of this local event offers a template for HPSJ to partner on other activities to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates within our community, in furtherance of the California Department of Health Care Services Medi-Cal COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program (www.dhcs.ca.gov/Documents/COVID-19/APL-21-010-Vaccine-Incentive.pdf).
HPSJ Chief Operations Officer Lizeth Granados said, “One of our roles as a local health plan is to rally our community around those who are the most difficult to reach. This includes understanding why some individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and supporting their decision-making process by providing trusted information and creating opportunities to swiftly receive a vaccine when ready.”
Additional COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and information events will be facilitated throughout San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties by HPSJ and our community partners. Activities will also be included to reach those who are homebound or with limited transportation options. For the latest information on COVID-19, consider resources provided by the California Department of Public Health (www.cdph.ca.gov).
Media Contact: Jill Center, Health Plan of San Joaquin, jcenter@hpsj.com