Strategy
The Connecticut Department of Public Health implemented a mobile clinic program for two years to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Connecticut communities.
Challenge
COVID-19 vaccine distribution present equity issues as some geographic areas and populations have disproportionate health outcomes, low vaccination rates, and high social vulnerability. Many states, including Connecticut, experienced this problem with COVID-19, prompting vaccine distribution strategies to increase vaccine access and patient comfortability in areas disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Solution
The Connecticut Department of Public Health implemented a mobile clinic program of vaccine vans to promote vaccine distribution in areas of the state most negatively affected by COVID-19. Vaccine vans would travel to various locations around the state administering vaccines. Vans were painted yellow to promote literal and figurative visibility, which is crucial to outreach success. Mobile clinics are also effective because they facilitate comfortability by allowing community members to engage with medical staff in their own communities where they feel safest. Some vaccine vans only provided the COVID-19 vaccine to those ages 12 and up, while others targeted all ages, starting at six months. Booster shots were only available to those ages 5 and up. Vaccines were free to anyone eligible, and appointments, insurance, and identification were not required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Local organizations had the opportunity to request the presence of a vaccine van at events they hosted. The vaccine van mobile clinics ended on June 30, 2023.
Outcome
The vaccine van mobile clinic program helped the Connecticut Department of Public Health distribute the COVID-19 vaccine across the state for two years. This program facilitated increased vaccine access for populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Supplemental Resources