In early 2021, Hendricks Regional Health turned our sights to vaccinating our community against COVID-19. We executed an operational strategy to stand up a mass vaccine clinic at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and vaccinated over 70,000 residents. In addition, we enacted a strategy focused on encouraging vaccination. This included providing as many vaccination opportunities for our associates and the community as we could. Our goal was to ensure that all eligible residents who wanted a vaccination received one.

          

The following are examples of ways we reached vulnerable populations, including those who may be considered higher risk and those who may have challenges getting to a vaccine site.

• We vaccinated the women and children at Sheltering Wings so that they did not have to feel unsafe going to a public vaccination site.
• We administered vaccines at Cypress Manor, which provides residential care and supportive services to impoverished residents, and Sycamore Services, which serves individuals with disabilities.
• We brought vaccines to Hendricks County Senior Services.
• Through a partnership with Hendricks County Health Department, our Community Paramedicine team visited homebound residents to safely administer the vaccine at the residences.
• The residents of Park Square Manor in Avon do not fit the parameter of living in a long-term care facility, yet many have transportation challenges. To make it as safe and seamless as possible, we went to them and vaccinated the Park Square community on-site. 
• We expanded our efforts to reach at-risk populations, even outside Hendricks County. For example, we teamed up with Aspire House in Indianapolis to hold a pop-up clinic that served a community that was underserved in many aspects. 
• In addition to our efforts to reach at-risk patients, we worked with our special populations with unique vaccination needs and challenges. For example, our occupational health team launched a special vaccine clinic for air traffic controllers, who have special post-vaccine waiting time guidelines by the FAA.
• In collaboration with Putnam County Health Department, we hosted a vaccination clinic at DePauw University on April 2. Over 1,850 students, staff and community members received their vaccine. 
• Our efforts led to Hendricks County having one of the highest vaccination rates in the state of Indiana.

Our efforts to reach vulnerable populations continue. We are still providing vaccine clinics to our long-term care partners when needed, with the most recent occurring in January 2023.