TIMES UNION REPORTS – The Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition (NIHHC), in partnership with Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, city of Warsaw, K21 Health Foundation, Bowen Center, Kosciusko County Health Department (KCHD) and Warsaw Community Schools, ran its first drive-thru Pfizer vaccine clinic on Saturday in the parking lot of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 225 N. Gilliam Drive, Warsaw.
KCHD nurses provided COVID-19 vaccines to community members of Kosciusko County in their cars, making the process easy. First doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered to 132 people in four hours, according to a provided news release.
Of those vaccinated, 82% were Hispanic and 18% were non-Hispanic. Approximately one-third of attendees were pre-registered, and two-thirds were walk-ins. Thirty percent were children between 12 and 17 years old. Families with children received sportpacks with back-to-school supplies.
As a point of comparison, the seven-day average of total daily doses (of any kind) given across all of Kosciusko County has been hovering around 90, according to the Indiana State Department of Health’s vaccine dashboard. In just four hours, NIHHC and community partners gave more doses than what other sites and multiple local private pharmacies and providers in Kosciusko County do together on an average day.
“These numbers speak to our ability to reach not just the Hispanic community, but the Kosciusko County community as a whole,” said Liliana Quintero, NIHHC’s executive director. “When we make COVID-19 vaccination accessible and open to everyone in a culturally sensitive manner, at a venue they trust and where they feel safe, it proves that community members want the vaccine — that it is not just about hesitancy.”
The collaborative effort makes it possible. Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory provided extensive support to ensure the event ran smoothly. Staff and volunteers served patients while enduring the summer heat.
“For community members, trust in who is inviting them to get the vaccine and delivering on that promise is fundamental to a successful event,” said Quintero.
Father Constantino “Tino” Rocha, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, was surprised by the turnout.
“I think that our Hispanic community has just started to realize the importance of the vaccines,” he said. “More and more people are getting sick again, and now they see the importance of getting vaccinated.”
With support from the CDC Foundation and REAL Services, NIHHC’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Unite Against COVID-19, has reached the community by partnering with trusted influencers and messengers, leaders, health care providers and community organizations and agencies.
Those who received their first dose are already scheduled for their second dose at the next clinic Sept. 18 at the same location. Everyone age 12 and older will be welcome again. KCHD will provide both first and second doses. No documents are required, and community members are encouraged to register for their appointments now through NIHHC’s COVID-19 hotline at 574-206-3938 or by calling 877-21-SALUD (72583).
