Help give vaccine access to communities hardest hit by COVID. 

With COVID-19 vaccines here and distribution ramping up, our diverse region demands culturally competent, affirming information about the vaccine in many languages. These nonprofits are acting quickly and thoughtfully to help particularly low-income, sometimes uninsured individuals – who often lack computer access as well as discretionary time, and who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 – understand the vaccine and navigate this complex system. Everyone will benefit as more San Diegans learn about the vaccine distribution process and receive vaccinations.

Whether you have gotten the vaccine or are awaiting your turn, you can help others get appointments and information.  

Consider donating to organizations educating about the vaccine,
volunteering to support the effort, and learning accurate information, which will contribute to our collective wellness.

Champions for Health
Champions for Health, San Diego County’s contracted mobile vaccination team, is immunizing hard-to-reach, high-risk communities, including senior nursing facilities and long-term residential facilities. They are also training partners to administer the vaccine – read more in this KPBS feature.

Vista Community Clinic (VCC)
VCC provides high-quality healthcare regardless of a patient’s access to insurance. Through extensive, client-focused outreach, much of which takes place in the field including at farms and homes, VCC educates patients in their preferred languages and in culturally familiar ways. VCC will soon begin vaccinating patients and support is needed for this new effort.

San Ysidro Health (SYH)
SYH provides high-quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable health care services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. The health system provides education, evaluations, screenings and more to community members where they are, at clinic sites, schools, churches, community centers, grocery stores, malls, street outreach, community health fairs and more. Bilingual personnel help patients feel comfortable and fully informed about wellness and care. SYH is providing vaccines to patients age 65 and older.

UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic
The UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic provides free, high-quality healthcare to up to 900 patients annually. Many clients are at elevated risk for complications from COVID-19. The Clinic connects multi-lingual pre-med students to patients, assisting them in securing and traveling to vaccine appointments. The Clinic provides trusted information about COVID and the vaccine to a modest number of patients and plans to expand information access via video. The Clinic is awaiting approval to administer vaccines.

Neighorhood Healthcare

Neighborhood Healthcare’s holistic approach to healthcare includes helping patients access housing, food, transportation, employment, benefits and more. Their extensive community partnerships enable them to connect directly with patients. They are providing vaccines at a drive-through location and onsite at partner organizations, including at Interfaith Community Services’ Betty & Melvin Cohn Escondido headquarters (where Neighborhood now operates a co-located health center). They vaccinated medically vulnerable residents, frontline staff and frontline volunteers. They have vaccinated over 1500 patients and continue to do outreach to get more shots in arms.

Scripps Encinitas hospital staff are working tirelessly to aid patients during the COVID-19 surge. You can lift the spirits of staff and support local businesses still impacted by lockdown restrictions with one act of kindness! Provide satisfying meals to help our healthcare and restaurant heroes today. Click here to feed frontline heroes.

The County and healthcare systems need licensed volunteers to increase their ability to administer vaccines.

  • The County of San Diego is hiring licensed EMTs to fill a vital role in its pandemic response. Click here for more information.
  • The San Diego Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) consists of local healthcare workers who are volunteering to administer vaccines. Click here for more information.
  • The Petco Park Vaccination Super Station seeks volunteers who are medical professionals, healthcare administrative professionals, and non-medical professionals to assist with post-vaccination monitoring, general questions, directions, restocking supplies, and other operational duties. Learn more here.
  • HandsOn San Diego is sharing additional opportunities, including answering vaccine appointment calls at the VA Healthcare System, helping with wayfinding and registration at Sharp Chula Vista, and helping patients with developmental disabilities access vaccines at Arc of San Diego.
  • Jewish Family Service of San Diego needs Community Support Drivers to help older individuals get to their vaccine appointments. Learn more here.

Learn More

Follow these resources for up-to-date information about vaccine access.

  • My Turn: Find out if it’s your turn to get vaccinated. Register for notification according to eligibility. https://myturn.ca.gov
  • The County of San Diego launched a dashboard to tracking vaccine data.
  • County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer reported that a team is leading the effort to expand vaccine hubs in North County. Follow her updates on Facebook.
  • Vaccinate CA: VaccinateCA is a community-driven effort that tracks vaccine location availability and processes. Schedule appointments here.
  • San Diego Union-Tribune: Understand the barriers San Diegans of color face in accessing vaccine information and appointments here.