IU Health working to improve COVID-19 vaccine access through community clinics, transportation services and registration drives

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana University Health has launched several new initiatives aimed at improving COVID-19 vaccine access in underserved neighborhoods and communities of color hit hardest by COVID-19.

Starting today, IU Health is partnering with the Marion County Public Health Department to host a series of community vaccination clinics at churches and neighborhood organizations in Indianapolis. All 300 slots have been filled at two clinics will take place at Eastern Star Church this weekend. More clinics are planned in the coming weeks at Saint Monica Catholic Church, Light of the World Christian Church, La Plaza and the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis.

“We have made remarkable progress in building trust and confidence that the approved COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective,” said Dr. Karen Amstutz, vice president of community health at IU Health. “Now we must focus on eliminating barriers to getting the vaccine, especially in our underserved communities and populations that have been hit hardest by the virus.”

Last week, IU Health announced it is facilitating free rides to any vaccine clinic in Indiana.

IU Health is also working to make the vaccine registration process as easy as possible and is partnering with congregational and neighborhood organizations to help register community members for the vaccine using the state’s vaccine scheduling platform.

This Saturday, March 27, IU Health is partnering with several community organizations and the Marion County Public Health Department to host a vaccination hotline for Spanish-speaking Hoosiers. Dozens of Spanish-speaking IU Health team members and clinicians are volunteering for the hotline.

“We know language access has been another barrier for some Hoosiers who want to get the vaccines,” says Lori Satterfield, community benefit program manager at IU Health. “In addition to working with our community partners and leveraging our own multi-lingual physicians and team members, we’ve made sure every IU Health vaccine clinic has certified medical interpreters to help with any language barriers.”

Vaccinations must be scheduled ahead of time. At this time, sign-ups for the community vaccination clinics are facilitated through partner churches and organizations. All eligible Hoosiers can sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine at ourshot.in.gov.