Creative Partnering Removes Barriers to Improved Health

Success Story

Michigan State University receives funding through CDC’s Bridge Access Program to advance vaccine equity (IP21-2113). They shared the following story about recent efforts:

The National Network to Innovate for COVID-19 and Adult Vaccine Equity (NNICE) activities kicked off in October 2023 and marked the beginning of a successful collaboration between our implementation partners and Walgreens-Michigan through the Bridge Access Program. This partnership enabled us to connect Walgreens with the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) to deliver COVID-19 and flu vaccines, along with medical screenings, at two separate events in October and November.

The first event, led by CFHZ subawardee organizations City on a Hill Health Clinic and Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP), was held during a “Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos” event on October 28.

City on a Hill’s Director, Christine Plummer, worked closely with Dr. Eric Briggs of Walgreens to coordinate having Walgreens staff at the event to provide vaccinations with only about a week’s notice.

During this event, City on a Hill staff connected with a representative from a local food production company that employed several dozen workers with H-2 visas who were uninsured. After explaining that the Bridge Access Program provides free COVID-19 vaccines to anyone without insurance, City on a Hill and Walgreens staff provided vaccines at this company’s facilities. On November 14, Walgreens provided COVID-19 and flu vaccines to over 10 workers, and City on a Hill did blood pressure and glucose screenings for 25 employees!

Providing these vaccines at the work site helped City on a Hill overcome a major barrier in getting members of their Hispanic community vaccinated— transportation. Many of these individuals lack their own transportation and would be less likely to get vaccinated if it required making a separate trip to a pharmacy.