WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Today, Novant Health announced the deployment of its mobile health units to priority ZIP codes across all of its markets in an effort to provide easier access to the COVID-19 vaccine and increase vaccination acceptance. Each week, mobile events will be held at high-traffic locations such as grocery stores and residential areas, including public housing communities and homeless shelters, to provide up to 250 doses of vaccine during each event.
Appointments are available, but not required, and the mobile events will repeat the same locations at least twice, on the same day of the week at the same time, to ensure access to a second dose. All mobile units and events will be staffed with a diverse group of team members, including Spanish-language interpreters, in an effort to remove barriers and reflect all communities served.
“While our community pop-up events at schools and churches help us bring the vaccine to our neighborhoods, our mobile health units will take that a step further to reach our neighbors’ doors,” said Jesse Cureton, executive vice president and chief consumer officer, Novant Health. “We understand that not everyone has the luxury of taking time off from work or has reliable transportation to get to clinics. It’s imperative we bring the vaccine directly to communities to reach those that might be unable, or unwilling, to receive it otherwise.”
In the greater Charlotte market, the Novant Health Community Care Cruiser began vaccinations yesterday at Lowe’s Home Improvement – Northlake where more than 80 Pfizer doses were distributed. The next stop for the mobile unit will be at Compare Foods’ N. Tryon location on Thursday, April 29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tomorrow, April 29, the Winston-Salem State University Rams Cruiser will begin popping up at locations across that market. The first event will take place at the Community Care Center located at 2136 New Walkertown Road between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Mobile vaccine efforts will also take place on in the Coastal region, beginning at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store from 7 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 29, at 5110 College Road. The event will be a “drive-through” and no appointments are required.
Novant Health has distributed nearly 16,000 equity doses at community pop-up events where 67% of attendees identify as a member of a racial or ethnic minority. To date, Novant Health’s vaccination rate for Asian and Black patients at community events is three times that of the general North Carolina vaccination rate.
To learn more about Novant Health’s vaccination efforts, please visit GetVaccinated.org.
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