Wasco still paying to vaccinate

United Against Covid-19, in partnership with the City of Wasco and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, is back with another free covid-19 vaccination clinic on Sunday, July 31. Through the leadership of Mayor Gilberto Reyna and the City Council, the City of Wasco will again provide all Wasco residents vaccinated at this clinic with a $50 Visa gift card.

"I anticipate a bigger crowd will show up to get their Visa gift cards. Because of the new Omicron BA.5 subvariant infections increasing, I want to encourage everyone able to vaccinate to do so," said Mayor Reyna.

"Many of those vaccinated at our June 26th clinic would now qualify for their next dose. If you received a Visa gift card the first time at this event, returning for your follow-up dose will also earn you the opportunity for another Visa gift card. "

"That keeps moving our vaccination percentages upward, and that is what I want," said Mayor Reyna.

The Visa gift cards will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

UAC is a coalition composed of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, South Kern Sol News, Community Interventions, Lideres Campesinas and Building Healthy Communities Kern. These organizations will be on hand to provide important information about other resources available to those that attend.

"We chose Wasco as a location because we specifically target communities that are underserved and are at a greater risk of contracting Covid," said Yesenia Ocampo, Dolores Huerta Foundation health program director

"With multiple clinics held in Wasco, we must continue our presence here to ensure the community has the vaccines available to them."

Getting the vaccine is easy with a simple registration. The provider will administer dose one, dose two and booster shots. Participants should bring their vaccination card, but if they don't have it, the clinic can help as they can access information regarding previous covid vaccinations.

This time around, the clinic can vaccinate babies as young as 6 months old. There is no age limit.

There will be a bilingual staff to help those non-English speakers.

Food boxes, paletas (fruit ice popsicles) and light refreshments will be provided. Face masks, rapid Covid-19 at-home test kits and sanitizers will be given away, too.

Ocampo understands there are some people on the fence about getting vaccinated.

"We certainly want to meet them where they are and understand their concerns to address misinformation and provide education that can help inform their decision based on facts and data."

The clinic targets communities like Wasco, which has a large low-income population and many farmworkers, people of color and immigrants.

"These individuals may not have health care access or insurance, and we want to help eliminate this barrier," said Ocampo.

Getting the vaccine is safe, and Ocampo believes there are many reasons a person should vaccinate.

"We really want families and children to protect themselves from the worst outcomes. We want to keep them alive and certainly increase their life expectancy."

There is a program for those that may not have transportation to a clinic where a provider will come to your home and administer the vaccine or offer a ride. To schedule an appointment for this, visit myturn.ca.gov.

The event will take place at the Wasco Old Courthouse at 810 8th St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on the upcoming clinic or if you have any questions or concerns about getting vaccinated, call 661-558-2048.