CUPS administers more than 550 COVID-19 vaccines
Removing barriers and increasing accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine has been a priority at CUPS for the last few months. What started initially as a support program for shelter populations has expanded into a CUPS outreach vaccination program that is actively getting immunizations into vulnerable members of our community.
It’s a program that is directly making an impact in the pandemic, but also proving to be personally inspiring to those on the CUPS team who are working tirelessly to provide fact-based, accurate information to everyone they talk to.
Establishing trust
When it comes to a successful vaccine program, education and trust are two key components. The CUPS team consists of two vaccine ambassadors, a registered nurse and a vaccine coordinator, and a significant amount of time is focused on having an honest and open conversation with anyone they interact with.
Don Wright has been an ambassador since the beginning of the program and says he often shares his personal story to help others coming to CUPS feel comfortable. He struggled with substance abuse and has been clean for 16 years. Wright, who has received both doses, sees the vaccine as another way for people who are struggling to keep safe.
“I tell these people, I’m still standing and still breathing. I’m protecting myself and the people around me in my community from getting very sick or hospitalized.”
Wright says they aren’t pressuring those that say no, but those that choose to get the vaccine have expressed it’s a choice to safeguard their loved ones.
“Some get it to keep their parents safe, they want to keep their children safe, their grandparents.
Program will continue as long as there is demand
To-date, CUPS has administered more than 550 vaccines and many are first doses, which the team sees as a clear indication there is more work to be done.
In addition to continuing to support sheltered populations, CUPS has actively reached out to other partners about opportunities to bring the vaccine right to their clients.
CUPS offers weekly clinics (no booking required) on-site at its 10th Avenue location, and is also hosting regular clinics at the Alpha House Society, the Mustard Seed shelter and it’s 1010 Centre. Extra doses are also offered at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre’s safe consumption site.
If you are a CUPS client, please call the CUPS Vaccine Team to book an appointment or find out about walk-in opportunities at 403-803-4063.
For fact-based information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, please learn more here.