SOLEDAD — The VIDA Project, Soledad McDonald’s, Monterey County Health Department and the City of Soledad have come together to co-host a free Pop-Up Clinic.
The clinic will take place Sunday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Soledad McDonald’s, 1215 Front St. There will be rapid Covid-19 testing, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines, Pfizer booster shots for those who qualify and a limited quantity of flu shots available.
In addition, VIDA Community Health Workers will be on hand to help residents access rental and utilities relief and other resources. McDonald’s is also offering free Big Macs to those who get vaccinated.
Walk-ins are welcomed, but pre-registration is recommended for vaccines, which are open to those age 12 and older, at myturn.ca.gov or call 831-205-0044. There is no cost affiliated with any of these services.
Sunday’s clinic is one way in which the City of Soledad and partners are addressing the challenges that rural community members are facing in access to healthcare.
“Each vaccination helps keep our communities safer,” said Joel Hernandez Laguna, VIDA project manager with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC).
Monterey County has reached 82% of residents age 12 and older who have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of Oct. 10.
The VIDA (Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid) Community Health Workers program began in January 2021. More than 110 workers in 10 organizations countywide were trained as part of the program and are equipped to deliver information about the importance of Covid-19 testing and vaccinations and assist community members with access to resources.
The CFMC manages the program on behalf of the Covid-19 Collaborative, a multi-sector collaborative, which it has led since November 2020.
The VIDA Project is funded by the County of Monterey in partnership with the CFMC. The goal of the program is to reach residents most impacted by the pandemic and provide outreach, education and wraparound support to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and promote full recovery by ensuring adequate isolation and quarantine support.
Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved $4.9 million for the project and granted the money to the CFMC to coordinate funding and leadership for the community-based organizations to implement the program.
Partner organizations in the VIDA program include Building Healthy Communities, Centro Binacional Para El Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, Center for Community Advocacy, CHISPA, City of Gonzales, Lideres Campesinas, Mujeres en Acción, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, and The Village Project.
