Kaiser Permanente supports pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics

More than 70 Santa Cruz residents are now vaccinated against COVID-19, thanks to a partnership between Kaiser Permanente and Santa Cruz Community Health.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California is investing significantly in key community partnerships to help remove access barriers and ensure people at the highest risk for contracting COVID-19 receive timely vaccinations, particularly within communities of color.

Through the partnership with Santa Cruz Community Health, two pop-up clinics were recently held at a local church and again on the steps of the courthouse at the County Government Center. Bright blue tents were set up with clinicians offering free vaccinations to those with appointments and those walking by.

“We had a lot of people just pop over and ask if they can come in, which of course, we let them do,” said Philippa Barron, the CEO of Santa Cruz Community Health. “We appreciate the support from Kaiser Permanente, which is helping to vaccinate more people in the community.

40 people were vaccinated at Holy Cross Church in June, more than 30 at the Courthouse recently. Now Santa Cruz Community Health will be staging 4 hour free vaccine popups at the Courthouse on Monday and Tuesday for the rest of August and into September.

“We’ll be offering the one-shot Janssen vaccine and the Pfizer,” said Barron. “We have the Pfizer in particular because we want to vaccinate any teenager that show up with their parents.”

“I think it’s wonderful that we help to provide free vaccines in our community,” said Joyce Orndorff, MD, Assistant Physician in Charge at Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County. “As you know, we’re experiencing another surge of coronavirus, so now more than ever, we have to close the gap and the vaccine is the best protection we have available.”