School of Pharmacy Volunteers Help Vaccinate Underserved Communities in Vaccine Equity Effort 2021 PharmD students Janvi Shah (left) and Kathryn Freitag (right) give the COVID-19 vaccine to a couple at the vaccine clinic held at the McKenzie Family Boys & Girls Club in Sun Prairie. Photo by Paul L. Newby II 18 May
The School of Pharmacy, Fitchburg Family Pharmacy, and the Boys and Girls Club partner to increase COVID-19 vaccine access and address hesitancy among BIPOC communities
By Katie Ginder-Vogel
As pharmacists and healthcare providers rallied to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the race to vaccinate the public opened a different battlefront addressing vaccine equity. Although people of color have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, these communities of color have lower rates of vaccination. In Wisconsin, the COVID-19 vaccination rate for Black patients is about half the rate of white patients.
By Logan Rude
Apr 14, 2021 10:02 AM
MADISON, Wis. UW Health officials announced Wednesday the health care provider plans to commit $1 million per year to support antiracism work in the community.
That’s in addition to the $3 million in giving UW Health already contributes to local organizations each year.
The funds will be used to support organizations that are working to address inequities in the Madison community, according to a news release. UW Health did not name which specific organizations will receive donations as part of the new initiative, but detailed announcements are expected in the coming months.
“The contributions made possible by this additional funding are building upon long-standing relationships we’ve developed in the community and will recognize and expand upon the amazing work our partners are doing with communities of color,” said Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, vice president and chief diversity officer at UW Health.
UW Health pledges to commit $1M per year to antiracist work channel3000.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from channel3000.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Efforts ramp up to vaccinate people of color against COVID-19
MADISON, Wisconsin (madison.com/Wisconsin State Journal) For Mao Lor, 65, getting a COVID-19 vaccine was painless and will make her feel safer leaving home, she said.
“There’s no hurt,” the resident of the Bayview apartments in Downtown Madison said after receiving a shot Wednesday. “I need to protect (myself) so I can go to the store.”
Ana Rios, 63, who also lives at Bayview, said she’ll keep wearing her mask even after getting her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. “We have to protect each other,” she said through interpreter Yenny Juarez.
UW Health, Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce partner for vaccine clinic
MADISON (WKOW) UW Health teamed up with the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce to vaccinate essential workers.
Latinx-owned businesses, like restaurants and markets, were able to get their workers vaccinated at a clinic on Monday.
Nearly 200 people got their shots. It means everything because my job, my business depends on me being well, and being able to be there to open my store, and take care of my customers who happen to be health care workers seeking to purchase their scrubs, said Eleana Rodriguez who was vaccinated at the clinic.