Key Partners: Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Moab Valley Multicultural Center, Homecare & Hospice Association of Utah

 Description: Using COVID-19 Vaccine Access Grant funds, Utah’s ADRC was able to support multiple new partner organizations identified through the Utah Department of Health to reach underserved and minority populations across the state.

Another partner, Moab Valley Multicultural Center (MVMC), screened their clients for vaccination status and offered them resources including at-home test kits and COVID-19 vaccine and booster information translated into Spanish. During community events, MVMC distributed education materials in English and Spanish alongside outreach bags that included hand sanitizer with MVMC’s phone number, home testing kits, masks, and information about the COVID-19 vaccine to encourage vaccination among attendees.

Additionally, a partnership with the Homecare & Hospice Association of Utah (HHAU) sought to address vaccine fatigue by training healthcare professionals in leveraging existing relationships with patients to encourage vaccinations. As a part of this initiative, HHAU developed videos and materials that hospice and homecare workers can use to encourage those they serve to receive vaccinations. In addition, HHAU provided vaccines at three of Utah’s Senior Expo locations; this annual event provides a one-stop shop of information and resources for older adults and caregivers, including health screenings, vaccines, and resources.

 Although these partnerships were created and funded using COVID-19 Vaccine Access Grant funding, Utah’s ADRC plans to continue these partnerships to deliver flu and shingles vaccines to underserved, underinsured, and minority populations.