As the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread throughout the United States, the CDC Foundation has announced support to Alcona Health Center and to more than 150 community-based organizations throughout the U.S. to promote COVID-19 vaccination.
Officials said community-based organizations have been critical in the COVID-19 response, especially in communities with the highest risk. Alcona Health Center officials said they are proud to be one of the community-based organizations funded by the CDC Foundation to promote COVID-19 vaccination and health equity.
Alcona Health Center will be collaborating with MidMichigan Medical Center — Alpena and Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA) to provide consistent messaging and education on COVID-19 vaccines with the goal of eliminating misinformation, improving vaccine confidence and increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in Northern-Lower Michigan and the Eastern U.P.
Alcona Health Center CEO Nancy Spencer said, “We continue to encourage all who are eligible to be vaccinated. This CDC Foundation opportunity helps us to expand communication avenues so that residents get accurate information from trusted resources, allowing them to make the best decision on vaccination for themselves and their families. Partnering with MidMichigan Medical Center and NEMCSA only helps to amplify these efforts.”
Richard Bates, M.D., C.P.E., regional vice president of medical affairs for MidMichigan Health, said the partnership is a “perfect example” of the organization’s mission.
“Our purpose at MidMichigan Health is simple … ‘Creating Healthy Communities – Together.’ This partnership with Alcona Health Center and Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency is a perfect example of this commitment,” he said. “Unfortunately, the Delta variant of COVID-19 has not yet let up. This alliance will help to ensure education about the COVID-19 vaccine is readily available and those wishing to receive a vaccine will have access to one. Together, it is our intention to get on the other side of this pandemic and keep our communities as safe as possible.”
Lisa Bolen, executive director and CEO for the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, added that, “We are pleased to be able to form this partnership with our local health providers to better educate our communities on the importance of staying healthy.”
Residents in the 16-county service area that the three entities cover will soon have expanded access to accurate information through community training and forums, and the ability to access to a free COVID Vaccine Answer Line (to be launched by October). Resources are currently available on the Mid Michigan (www.midmichigan.org/conditions-treatments/coronavirus/vaccine/) and Alcona Health Center (www.alconahealthcenters.org/covid-19-alerts) websites.
