Season Brings Essential Vaccines [Sponsored]

The Coachella Valley Equity Collaborative’s (CVEC) Outreach Offers Flu, COVID-19 and Other Vaccines Throughout Desert. [Sponsored]

PALM SPRINGS — One of the busiest healthcare seasons of the year brings multiple opportunities for Coachella Valley residents to arm themselves against illness.

The Coachella Valley Equity Collaborative’s (CVEC) outreach offers flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines throughout the desert. It’s providing access to underserved residents and others who may not be able to seek care elsewhere. Founded by the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, the collaborative is composed of multiple community partners including the Coachella Valley Pharmacy.

Since early October, about 700 people have been vaccinated – nearly 300 for COVID-19 and 400 for the flu. The pop-up clinics welcomed patients on Oct. 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in La Quinta and on Oct. 16 at the Desert Hot Springs Senior Center.

Residents can also receive vaccines for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (75+ years of age), shingles (50+ years of age), and pneumonia (65+ years of age). Appointments are not required (see scheduled clinics below).

While residents who are insured are asked to provide insurance information, the COVID-19 and flu vaccines are provided free to those who are uninsured or underinsured. As an incentive, $10 gift cards are offered to those who get either a flu or COVID-19 vaccine.

Upcoming CVEC clinics:

• 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Oct. 23, La Quinta Wellness Center, 78450 Avenida La Fonda, La Quinta
• 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Oct. 26, First Baptist Church, 82490 Dr. Carreon Blvd., Indio
• 1 – 4 p.m. Oct. 27, Word of Life Fellowship Center, 64565 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot springs

See the full schedule of CVEC clinics: https://teamup.com/c/5jpnhi/cv-equity-collaborative-activity-calendar

CVEC is a grassroots organization that was founded and funded by the District & Foundation in 2020 in response to COVID-19. It conducted COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics, as well as provided personal protective equipment and educational materials throughout the valley. Its approach shifted from emergency status to an as-needed basis last December.

The Collaborative has administered nearly 50,000 COVID-19 vaccines.