Mobile covid vaccination clinic headed to minority communities in Pennsylvania

A former mobile covid-19 testing clinic that made stops all over Pennsylvania last year will begin its next tour targeting underserved communities, this time as a vaccine and education clinic.

State health officials and community leaders announced the department’s partnership with advocacy group Latino Connection and Highmark Blue Shield on Monday and detailed the cross-state tour meant to bring vaccines and information to minority communities.

“What started as a first-of-its-kind-covid-19 mobile testing and education initiative has shifted into overdrive with the launch of the covid-19 vaccination tour,” said George Fernandez, founder and chief executive of Latino Connection.

“To solve health care inequality,” he said, “we need to meet our people where they are.”

The group helped launch a mobile testing clinic – Community-Accessible Testing and Education (CATE) – in fall 2020. One of those units has been repurposed to provide vaccinations.

Starting next week, residents can pre-register for one of the upcoming events online at catemobileunit.com or facebook.com/CATEmobileunit

He said there are more than 120 vaccination stops on the docket and another 100 educational events. It’s the first dedicated statewide mobile vaccine clinic in the state.

Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam called April a “critical turning point” for the state. The mobile clinic kicks off as Pennsylvania officials open vaccine eligibility to anyone 16 and older beginning April 13.

“What that means for this tour is a simpler process in ensuring everyone who wants a vaccine can get one when the mobile units come to their community,” Beam said.

The overarching goal is twofold: to get the vaccine into marginalized and underserved minority communities and to battle misinformation and allay the fears creating vaccine hesitancy. Materials will be available in Spanish and other languages, and community members will be able to speak with professionals in their first language.

“The vaccines are safe, they are effective, and we – alongside the Latino Connection – are working to make sure everyone has access to reliable information,” Beam said.