For 20 weeks throughout the spring and summer, associates from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota crisscrossed the state to vaccinate Minnesotans against COVID-19. These volunteers hopped on board Metro Transit buses-turned-mobile clinics and administered vaccines at affordable housing complexes, places of worship, county fairs, workplaces, senior living centers and events supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) and LGBTQ+ Minnesotans, just to name a few.

Recently, Blue Cross concluded its role in the COVID-19 mobile vaccine bus initiative with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council. Between mid-April and the end of August, volunteers administered more than 7,200 vaccines at 170 clinics hosted by 115 community partners in 42 Minnesota counties.

“Our involvement stemmed from wanting to make sure people who didn’t have easy access to a vaccine could get one,” says AJ McDougall, senior vice president of strategy, innovation and external affairs at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "Every shot administered by our volunteers administered over the past five months has helped to better protect Minnesota against the risks of COVID-19.”

“Blue Cross is committed to breaking down whatever barriers stand in the way of keeping all of our communities safe and healthy," – AJ McDougall

Associates step up and serve

Pulling off a major vaccination initiative like this would not have been possible without an army of volunteers ready to serve these communities. 375 volunteers from Blue Cross and its parent company filled more than 1,000 clinical and non-clinical roles throughout the campaign.

“The COVID-19 vaccine bus project was definitely the volunteer project of a lifetime for so many of our partners and volunteers. They dug deep into their time and talent to bring a trained, empathetic, warm and welcoming face to the Minnesotans we served,” says Susan Schuster, principal community relations consultant and Vaccine Bus core team volunteer lead. “Cross-sector collaboration, like this effort and related contact tracing and mask making efforts over the last 18 months, is crucial when community needs are high.”

Several associates volunteered to work multiple weeks on the buses, setting up clinics and administering vaccines all over the metro and state. Rhonda Arnold, a business transformation director at Blue Cross’ parent company, worked clinical shifts during a total of nine weeks on the buses. She is both a registered nurse and a public health nurse, so she was excited to put her clinical skills to use on the buses and support her passion for caring for others. Rhonda’s husband, Craig, also joined her to volunteer on the bus.

“Supporting the underserved and promoting health and wellness is at the heart of what we do, who I am, and why I work for Blue Cross,” – Rhonda Arnold (pictured with husband, Craig)

“It was such a blessing to be able to serve the community and be a part of something so historical in nature,” says Rhonda.  “As a clinician, it is fabulous to have the opportunity to continue to serve clinical needs as well as the project needs of the organization. I am a people person and being out in the community supporting those in need will always be something I want to do.”

Angie Flores, a senior outreach and engagement specialist, volunteered during four weeks of the bus project. In addition to working as a site leader, she also acted as an interpreter to help Spanish-speaking patients feel more comfortable during the vaccination process.

“I could feel the relief in people when they knew we had interpreters there,” says Flores (pictured center). “They had someone on that bus they could trust and ask questions to. They had someone that looked, talked and felt familiar to them. The vaccine is new to everyone, and each person came with a different story or fear. Seeing people just open up, take a deep breath and express how they felt was priceless.”

Seamus Dolan, a senior public affairs specialist, volunteered for three weeks on the bus as a volunteer site lead. Having started at Blue Cross in early 2021, this was one of the first times he was able to meet other colleagues in person from across the company.

“I think this counts as one of the best ‘on-boarding’ experiences because I was able to work with such a diverse cross-section of associates,” says Seamus. “Knowing a few faces and names from various departments helps provide context for my day-to-day work.”

“I think the experience highlights the need for public health to be culturally informed and led by people from the communities that are being served.” – Seamus Dolan (pictured third from left)

In addition, 38 community clinicians volunteered on the buses through a collaboration of Blue Cross volunteer managers with MDH, the Twin Cities Medical Society and Doctors for Health Equity as they worked together to promote this opportunity among their physician networks. Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity is a statewide coalition of physicians and other health professionals working toward health equity for all Minnesotans.

Breaking down the demographics

“Our mobile vaccination clinics were successful in all types of communities because of our committed community partners who identified barriers and gaps in vaccine access, requested the mobile clinics and led outreach efforts,” says Dr. Nathan Chomilo, COVID-19 Equity Director at MDH. “Communities that have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic have long endured other systemic inequities, so it has been our mission to find effective ways to improve access to vaccination and information —the mobile units have been critical in getting us closer to that goal.”

Here are some of the demographics of patients receiving COVID-19 vaccines at the mobile vaccine buses.

Appreciation from patients and volunteers

Many patients shared their appreciation for being able to get vaccinated on board the buses with volunteers and community partners.

“Thank you for doing this,” wrote one patient. “I wouldn’t have been able to easily get a vaccine otherwise because I’m undergoing chemotherapy and am immunocompromised.”

“Our thanks go out to the community partners, state agencies, and each and every volunteer who stepped up to be part of this historic volunteer effort. You made a difference toward the goal of equitable vaccine distribution in Minnesota.” – Susan Schuster (pictured right)

“I really like the mobile vaccine clinic,” wrote another patient. “I only see the doctor when I have a big problem, and I don’t get out much because I’m a foster mom and work full time. I almost never go out of town, so having the clinic here is my only option.”

“We really appreciate getting out to talk and work in the community,” wrote one volunteer. “It has been a once in a lifetime experience! We’ve heard vaccine recipients say, ‘You’re my hero’, ‘Thanks for caring enough to come to me’, ‘I was able to run over during my lunch’, ‘I’m so grateful to get vaccinated, and ‘I feel like Superman now!’”