Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece stands by a bus housing a mobile vaccination clinic at Hampton University. Provided
Contributed
Hamilton County commissioners are working out the details, but they may soon have a bus to serve as a mobile vaccination clinic that will bring COVID-19 vaccines to underserved communities in the county.
The bus will meet people where they are.
Commissioner Alicia Reece, who proposed the idea, says it’s a way to reach the most vulnerable.
“You’re dealing with a population that has concerns. Then you ask them to go online and register. Then you ask them to find it. Then you ask them to go get transportation to go get it. We have to make it, I think, accessible and easy for them,” said Reece.
The Hamilton County Commission has approved Reece’s plan to outfit a bus that can deliver the vaccine to residents who have a difficult time registering for an appointment or getting to a vaccination site.
Reece visited Hampton University in Virginia to check out their mobile vaccination clinic.
“It was incredible. You pull up to the campus — it is a showstopper. It draws attention and makes you want to come over say, ‘What is this?’” said Reece.
Gov. Mike DeWine has already given the bus idea his seal of approval.
Reece says the mobile clinic will also connect people to social services and the best part is it can serve the community after the pandemic is over.
“You can get a shot; you can get a screening, but we also can give you information about resources available: How to pay your utility, your rent, your mortgage, senior services, mental health services,” said Reece.
Reece says the bus will focus on underserved communities like senior citizens. Instead of people looking for a vaccine, the vaccine will come to the people.
Reece said she hopes to have the bus in Hamilton County in April.