Partnering to Administer More COVID-19 Vaccines: Hospital and Community Organizations Providing Incentives

Porterville, CA – August 18, 2021: With funding from Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency, Sierra View Medical Center has formed a strong partnership with Imperial Ambulance to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in Porterville and surrounding communities. To date, the SVMC-Imperial Ambulance teams have administered nearly 2,500 COVID-19 vaccines. And they are increasing those numbers by taking the COVID-19 vaccine to people at popular community events, all while continuing to operate from their new Community Vaccination Clinic located at 385 Person Dr.

Recent vaccination partnerships include collaborations with City of Porterville and Burton Unified School District and the efforts continue. This week, the SVMC-Imperial Ambulance team will once again take to the road to offer first and second doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines at KJUG’s Free Summer Concert, taking place at Porterville’s Centennial Park on Tuesday, August 19, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. From its allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the City is offering $100 gift cards from local businesses to individuals that receive the vaccine at the event. Earlier that day, the vaccination team will also be at Porterville College to make it easier for students and community members in that area of the city to receive the vaccine. The college event will take place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

“Part of our mission at Sierra View Medical Center is to find opportunities where we can build partnerships and foster existing ones with community organizations that have the same goal – to ensure the health and well-being of our community,” says Sierra View CEO and President Donna Hefner. “I’m grateful to the City of Porterville and several other community partners for continuing to open their doors to our organization to work collaboratively.” Thanks to support from Porterville’s City Council and Police Department, the SVMC-Imperial Ambulance vaccination teams also were recently welcomed at Porterville’s National Night Out with dozens receiving the COVID-19 vaccine that evening. That same openness to collaborate from Porterville College President Dr. Claudia Habib is helping to make the vaccine more accessible.

The message to the community from Sierra View’s Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Jeffery Hudson-Covolo, DNP, RN, NEA-BC is to become vaccinated. “We are seeing a dramatic increase in COVID-19 unvaccinated hospitalizations and we are in a position to help prevent those hospitalizations through strong vaccination efforts," he says.

Community members ready to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may visit the SVMC-Imperial Ambulance Community Vaccination Clinic at 385 Pearson Dr. in Porterville. The clinic operates Thursday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, please visit www.sierra-view.com/COVIDvaccines.