|
|
Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s clients to receive in-home COVID-19 vaccination.
Bethlehem, PA, February 26, 2021 – At-risk and homebound clients of Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley (MOWGLV) will now have the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Through a partnership with the Allentown and Bethlehem Health Bureaus, over 700 clients living in Center City Allentown, Northampton County and Bethlehem City (Lehigh County) are being asked by MOWGLV staff if they would be interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Clients who wish to receive the vaccine will be connected with the Allentown or Bethlehem Health Bureau. The Health Bureau staff will then contact clients directly to schedule their in-home vaccine appointment.
The Allentown Health Bureau (AHB), working with the Allentown EMS, will provide vaccinations to those MOWGLV clients living in Allentown. The Director of the AHB, Vicky Kistler states, “It is a partnership that is allowing us to get more vaccines into arms. This is a true example of where a partner stepped up and said ‘I work with seniors, I can help. How can we make this happen?’ That doesn’t happen very often.”
Bethlehem Health Bureau’s (BHB), Sherri Penchishen, Director of Injury & Disease Prevention, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Health Education Programs is also very excited to work with MOWGLV on this project. The BHB will work with Cedar Crest College nursing students to vaccinate Northampton County clients as well as those Bethlehem clients who live in Lehigh County. Both city health departments have already provided vaccinations to MOWGLV clients living in senior apartment buildings.
MOWGLV’s CEO, Vicki Coyle states, “I am beyond thrilled that our local health departments have joined the effort to keep our clients safe by vaccinating them in their homes. At Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, we know that most of our clients will be unable to register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. 70% of them are very low-income and most of them do not have access to the technology to access registration portals. They are homebound and, for many, the physical barrier to get from home to vaccination site is impenetrable. This project demonstrates how much great work can get done with some creative thinking, cooperation, and volunteer strength. I know how challenged the health departments are at this time. All of us here at Meals on Wheels are so grateful that they are including our vulnerable clients in their work.
Mission of Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley
The mission of Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley is to provide homebound seniors and adults with disabilities with freshly prepared nutritious meals, wellness checks and social visits so they can eat well, stay socially connected and remain living independently for as long as they can. Information specifically about how the agency is handling the COVID-19 virus can be found on their website: https://mowglv.org/news/
Information Provided By:
Keri Young
Communications Specialist
Meals On Wheels of The Greater Lehigh Valley
4240 Fritch Drive, Bethlehem PA 18020
www.mowglv.org
