FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- Underserved populations often have difficulties accessing central sites for COVID vaccines, as well as navigating the vaccine registration process.
MedStar, LVTRise and Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) partnered together to help bring vaccines to the West Fort Worth, Las Vegas Trail community by opening a vaccine clinic at the LVTRise Community Center.
Vaccines will be administered to people in the 1A and 1B category.
In addition to vaccinating those pre-registered for vaccines through TPCH, staff from LVTRise will be on-hand to help people who would like to register, but have not been able to do so.
“This type of grass-roots partnership is exactly what’s needed to make the COVID vaccine more accessible for residents who are not able to travel to regional vaccine mega-sites. The success of this clinic could serve as a model of how we do similar programs across the region”, said Dr. Brian Byrd, the Fort Worth Council Member from District 3, which includes the Las Vegas Trail community and the LVTRise Community Center.
Willie Rankin, Executive Director of LVTRise said “Hosting this event fits perfectly with the mission of LVTRise, helping residents of the Las Vegas Trail area improve their neighborhood and day-to-day lives. We are certain the lessons learned from this event will allow similar events to be conducted here, and across the community.”
“This may be small number of vaccines, but it will have a huge impact to the people of this community,” said Vinny Taneja, Tarrant County Public Health director. “We encourage everyone to sign up to be vaccinated. Everyone here today
was already registered as a Phase 1A or 1B.”
MedStar staff will be administering the vaccines and providing related support, TCPH will be providing the vaccines and materials, with LVTRise providing the familiar venue and staff to assist residents navigate the vaccine clinic, as well as registration for future vaccine clinics
