South Side Clinic Provides COVID-19 Vaccine to Chicago Residents Hardest Hit by Pandemic

In partnership with the City of Chicago, the University of Chicago Medicine launched a temporary vaccine clinic on March 26th with philanthropic support from the Coleman Foundation and other donors. Together, they helped to secure 16,000 vaccine doses to be distributed to Chicago Family Health Center, a community-based center that provides affordable, comprehensive healthcare to underserved communities on Chicago’s South Side, including Roseland and Washington Heights.

“We are grateful to each of these donors for their contribution, which helps us to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine is available to Chicago’s Black and Latinx communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” said Brenda Battle, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Vice President for Community Health Transformation and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at UChicago Medicine.

Established under Protect Chicago Plus, a targeted vaccine distribution program, the clinic at Woodson Regional Library offers the vaccine at no cost to Roseland and Washington Heights residents ages 18 or older. Unlike other vaccination sites, Protect Chicago Plus sites can vaccinate any adult who lives within the neighborhood, regardless of their age or if they have high-risk medical conditions.

Philanthropic funding is allowing UChicago Medicine to provide clinical support, including nurses, medical assistants, community health workers, and clerical staff. Funds also support necessary supplies and technology, as well as community outreach, including ads on the radio and in local newspapers to ensure community members are aware of the launch of the clinic and know how to access it.