Promoting Health Equity and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Through Collaboration, Outreach, Education & Engagement

Abstract

The COVID-19 Health Equity program is unique in the district as it is dedicated to achieving Health Equity in our community. The program was established to address health disparities among disproportionately affected populations. Our team developed a comprehensive plan that relied on collaboration with community partnerships. The approach of the program was to provide education, testing/vaccination, and linkage to resources.

Using the GDPH vaccine dashboard, the program targeted areas of high cases rates and low vaccination rates and prioritized them for education and outreach. Community resources, partners, & stakeholders were identified in those areas to assist our efforts. The staff provided education on case status, testing, vaccines, and guidance to partners and members of the community. Understanding that vaccine hesitancy is linked to lack of education, media coverage, and distrust of the government, the program leveraged community influencers and leaders to support education and outreach efforts.

Testing and vaccine clinics were planned in collaboration with shelters, county governments, churches, food pantries, schools, festivals, etc. To increase vaccine uptake, monetary incentives were offered to those receiving one of the primary series vaccines.

To address the spectrum of health equity, program staff linked individuals to resources available within their community. Staff educated individuals on existing programs within Public Health. With the support of established community partners, the program planned and coordinated events that provided healthcare access, tools to achieve economic stability, resources to improve the neighborhood and environments that contribute to health disparities.

From its inception in April 2022, this program has planned, coordinated, or participated in over 50 community outreach events and established over 100 community partners. We expanded over-the-counter testing availability in rural communities by distributing over 1500 test kits, increased vaccination uptake by incentivizing over 400 first or second doses and facilitated 17 connections to other Public Health resources.

Keywords

Equity, Community Partnerships, COVID-19 Education, Promotion

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May 1st, 12:00 AM May 1st, 12:00 AM

Promoting Health Equity and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Through Collaboration, Outreach, Education & Engagement

The COVID-19 Health Equity program is unique in the district as it is dedicated to achieving Health Equity in our community. The program was established to address health disparities among disproportionately affected populations. Our team developed a comprehensive plan that relied on collaboration with community partnerships. The approach of the program was to provide education, testing/vaccination, and linkage to resources.

Using the GDPH vaccine dashboard, the program targeted areas of high cases rates and low vaccination rates and prioritized them for education and outreach. Community resources, partners, & stakeholders were identified in those areas to assist our efforts. The staff provided education on case status, testing, vaccines, and guidance to partners and members of the community. Understanding that vaccine hesitancy is linked to lack of education, media coverage, and distrust of the government, the program leveraged community influencers and leaders to support education and outreach efforts.

Testing and vaccine clinics were planned in collaboration with shelters, county governments, churches, food pantries, schools, festivals, etc. To increase vaccine uptake, monetary incentives were offered to those receiving one of the primary series vaccines.

To address the spectrum of health equity, program staff linked individuals to resources available within their community. Staff educated individuals on existing programs within Public Health. With the support of established community partners, the program planned and coordinated events that provided healthcare access, tools to achieve economic stability, resources to improve the neighborhood and environments that contribute to health disparities.

From its inception in April 2022, this program has planned, coordinated, or participated in over 50 community outreach events and established over 100 community partners. We expanded over-the-counter testing availability in rural communities by distributing over 1500 test kits, increased vaccination uptake by incentivizing over 400 first or second doses and facilitated 17 connections to other Public Health resources.