To address disparities, M Health Fairview focuses on COVID-19 vaccine access for underserved groups
At a recent COVID-19 vaccination clinic at St. Mary’s Health Clinics in St. Paul, Esperanza Perez described how she felt after her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in one word: “Aliviada (relieved).”
Perez was one of more than 260 people to receive the vaccine on Feb. 7 and 8, as part of a joint effort between M Health Fairview and St. Mary’s focused on vaccinating Latinx residents ages 65 and older.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people of color and those with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. They face higher rates of illness, complications, and death. As vaccines roll out across Minnesota, early data suggests members of those groups who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine are at greater risk of not getting the vaccine as quickly as others. This is due to a variety of issues, such as lack of transportation, access to technology, and language barriers.
M Health Fairview is leading efforts to address these disparities by ensuring that minority communities and underserved populations have better access to the vaccine and helpful vaccine resources. Our comprehensive plan is grounded in community partnerships, broad vaccination initiatives, and a focus on M Health Fairview community clinics serving diverse populations.
