KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Family Health Center (FHC) in Kalamazoo has surpassed 5,000 administered COVID-19 vaccines, according to an announcement made Monday.
Officials say this milestone is the result of a campaign which began in January, which was meant to ensure that first and second doses of vaccines were easily available to people within Kalamazoo’s hardest-hit neighborhoods.
Drive-through vaccination clinics are currently running twice weekly. They rotate through the neighborhoods of Northside, Edison, Downtown, Westwood, Eastside, Milwood, Parchment and Comstock.
“Reaching this remarkable milestone reflects our long-time commitment to bringing quality health care to historically underserved people in our most vulnerable neighborhoods,” FHC President & CEO Denise Crawford said in a statement. “We must meet people where they are, whether it’s in ordinary times or during a pandemic. COVID-19 makes our mission even more critical. We’re determined to help individuals and ultimately our whole community to be healthy and safe.”
Crawford said partnership was needed in bringing vaccines to people in need. FHC worked alongside Bronson Healthcare Group and other partners to make this possible.
“We will continue to partner with all people to help them achieve their health and well-being,” Crawford said. “We know that our community is only as healthy as our most vulnerable residents. That’s why we continue our outreach and education to folks who have been marginalized.”
While vaccinations have started to trend downward recently, Bronson and FHC have started revisiting their approach, looking to adapt the model so that all people are informed and that everyone who wants a vaccine can get one safely.
In a statement, Bill Manns, Bronson Healthcare President and CEO, said Bronson shares FHC’s commitment to meeting that need.
“We are committed to equitable vaccine distribution across southwest Michigan,” Manns said. “Our partnership with the Family Health Center allows us to work together to reach out into all areas of our community.”
He continued,
“We encourage everyone 16 year of age and older to get the vaccine. We know it prevents serious illness and hospitalization and saves lives. In the past three months, we have cared for nearly 700 inpatients with COVID-19 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, and 99% of them had not been vaccinated. So, please, take care of yourself and get your shot as soon as you can.”
Upcoming vaccine clinics include the following:
- Wednesday, May 5, Northeastern Elementary, 2433 Gertrude St., Kalamazoo;
- Tuesday, May 11, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 West O Ave., Texas Township;
- Wednesday, May 12, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Arcadia Commons, downtown Kalamazoo.
Appointments are required and can be made by calling the FHC COVID-19 hotline at (269) 488-0804.
COVID-19 updates and information from Family Health Center can be viewed here.
- Related – On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the state of Michigan is set to surpass seven million vaccine doses administered. More on that can be viewed here.
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