Every vaccine represents an opportunity to prevent an illness before it starts. For many people, getting routine immunizations is as simple as making an appointment or stopping by a clinic.
For people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, transportation challenges, limited insurance coverage and the demands of daily survival make preventative care difficult to access.
At Fourth Street Clinic, we believe healthcare should adapt to the realities of our patients’ lives rather than asking them to overcome the barriers that exist within a fragmented healthcare system. This belief is what makes our Vaccine Outreach Program different.
Rather than waiting for patients to come to us, the vaccine team takes immunizations into the community. Throughout the year, registered nurses, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists organize vaccine clinics at resource centers, supportive housing programs, community events and through street outreach.
They work together to screen patients, update vaccination records and administer immunizations. Most important, the team answers questions and provides education that helps patients make informed decisions about their health. That connection matters because healthcare depends not only on access, but on trust.
Coordinated vaccine outreach like Fourth Street Clinic’s is uncommon in traditional healthcare settings. By bringing care directly to our patients, we stop illnesses before they start, reducing the need for more intensive medical care later. That’s the difference our Vaccine Outreach Program makes every day.
During Immunization Awareness Month, we are proud to recognize our dedicated vaccine team and thank our partners in the community who make this work possible.
Written By: David Webb, Pharm D & Hailey Shingleton
