On Sunday, 1,047 residents of Chicago鈥檚 Austin neighborhood were greeted with smiles and sent home with cheers after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at a special 脱衣直播 satellite clinic.
With a crew of more than 80 volunteers, Rush inoculated Austin residents ages 18 years and older during the first of six weeks of the clinic, part of the city of Chicago鈥檚 initiative to bring the vaccine to 15 neighborhoods, including Austin, that have been most burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic based on the city鈥檚 COVID-19 vulnerability index.
鈥淚 was a little nervous, honestly, about getting the vaccination,鈥 says Austin resident Danielle Kelly. After her neighbor told her about Sunday鈥檚 clinic, she decided to make an appointment, which was easier than she expected. 鈥淭he person I talked to was so kind and polite, and coming into this facility I was not met with any attitude or resistance. It was warmth, love and acceptance, which helped to ease my fears.鈥
Now that she has the vaccine, she says she feels relieved. 鈥淚鈥檓 not worried about, 鈥極h my gosh, if I get COVID, am I going to pass it on to someone else, someone who is at risk?鈥 鈥
Rush and Loretto Hospital are operating the clinics in partnership with the city, the Catalyst Schools, PCC Community Wellness, Austin Coming Together, the Leaders Network and the neighborhood鈥檚 aldermen, Emma Mitts (37th Ward), Jason Ervin (28th Ward) and Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward).
鈥淏ringing the vaccine to the neighborhoods disproportionally hard hit by COVID-19 is vital to the health of the entire community and central to our mission at Rush,鈥 says Angelique Richard, PhD, RN, senior vice president of hospital operations for 脱衣直播 and chief nursing officer for the Medical Center and Rush University System for Health. 鈥淥ver 80 volunteers came out today to make this happen, and they will again in the coming weeks, which shows how committed they are and how important this effort is to the Rush team.鈥
Rush's Austin clinic will continue to provide vaccines on Sundays through April 18, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School, 116 N. Central Ave. Loretto鈥檚 clinic is available on Fridays and Saturdays through April 17 at Amundson Park, 6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave.
An appointment is required; no walk-ins are being accepted. Austin residents can schedule a Sunday appointment by calling (312) 563-0767; or schedule a Friday or Saturday appointment at the Loretto clinic by calling (773) 996-7937.
Vaccines are free and no health insurance is required. People will be asked to attest they live in the Austin neighborhood.
Rush鈥檚 clinic is equipped to vaccinate 3,600 Austin residents in all, says Kerem Korkmaz, MSN, RN, CENP, vice president, patient care services, 脱衣直播. First doses will be given the first three Sundays of the clinic. Once residents receive the first dose, they will be scheduled automatically to get their second dose three Sundays later.
鈥淲hen given the opportunity to stand up this clinic we gladly stepped forward,鈥 Korkmaz says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a successful first day, not just logistically, but also in bringing the Rush culture into our clinic. It鈥檚 been evident in the experience of our patients as well as our volunteers. This has been a very affirming experience for everyone involved, and we鈥檝e received such a positive response from the community we鈥檙e here to serve.鈥
Audrey Boyle was one of those appreciative residents. 鈥淚f you have the option to get vaccinated, just do it, because it helps everyone, including yourself and your family,鈥 she says. 鈥淕etting vaccinated makes everyone safer. It鈥檚 really great to know that I鈥檓 going to be able to hug my mother.鈥
