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Date: 7/26/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The “VaxBus,” a mobile vaccination clinic, visited Alice Corson Park on July 20.
The VaxBus was developed through the state’s Vaccine Equity Initiative.
Members within the community were welcomed to walk-up without an appointment and receive the vaccine. The VaxBus offered the two-dose Pfizer vaccine for ages 12 and up and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for ages 18 and up. For those who received Pfizer – the bus will return again to administer the second dose.
The VaxBus vaccination clinic staff consists of members of the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) field team and Purple Shield medical staff.
According to a DPH spokesperson, “A core principle of the state’s vaccine program has been to address vaccine equity and access for the Commonwealth’s most disproportionately impacted communities. Today, 80 percent of adult residents have received at least a first dose, and while our vaccination rates among Black and Hispanic residents are almost double the national average, there is still more work to do.”
They continued, “The Administration has invested over $30 million in municipal and local vaccine equity initiatives to increase vaccine awareness and access through outreach efforts like door-to-door canvassing and mobile and local vaccination clinics including the VaxBus, and recently announced additional targeted, community-based clinics to meet residents where they are and to eliminate any barriers to vaccination.”
The VaxBus will be traveling to 23 different locations across the state. These sites are chosen based on central and easy-to-access locations.
The full schedule for the VaxBus can be found by visiting mass.gov/VaxBus.