Located just off Interstate 494, Richfield Towers is home to hundreds of residents, many of whom are low-income, elderly and/or disabled. The COVID-19 pandemic took a physical, emotional and social toll on many of them. Many were already isolated before the pandemic, due to disabilities or financial situations. Several lost family members or friends to the virus.

Camille Romanowicz, the resident services coordinator at Richfield Towers, says she worried about her residents suffering from depression or other illnesses. She also wanted to make sure they had accurate information about COVID-19, and the potential to get protected through a vaccine.

“I worked from home the first year of COVID-19 and called each of my 400+ residents about every two weeks,” Camille recalls. “I asked them if they needed anything like food resources. I kept them updated on COVID facts as there was a lot of misinformation circulating, especially early on. I asked how they were feeling and talked at length with many of them regularly.”

Bringing the vaccine bus to Richfield Towers

This spring, Richfield Towers was one of dozens of sites to host mobile vaccine bus clinics in its parking lot. The buses, staffed by associates from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, brought COVID-19 vaccines right to people who may otherwise not have had the ability to get a vaccine. The bus clinic visited Richfield Towers twice so residents, including those with disabilities, could receive the life-saving vaccines.

Reaching people with disabilities has been a core goal of the vaccine buses. Just over 36 percent of the mobile bus clinics have been able to vaccinate people with disabilities, according to post-clinic survey data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), one of the partner agencies working with Blue Cross on this initiative.

“Many people don’t realize that over half a million people in Minnesota live with a disability. This includes nearly one in every two people over the age of 75,” says Jenna Carter, public affairs and government relations manager at Blue Cross, who has been working closely on the mobile vaccine bus project.

“For those unable to drive and with little to no access to other transportation options, getting to a vaccine became insurmountable.  Fortunately, the mobile vaccination clinic made it possible by meeting people where they live.”

Breaking down barriers to getting a vaccine

“Access to COVID-19 vaccine was identified early on as one of the greatest barriers standing in the way of equitable rates of vaccination in Minnesota,” says Dr. Nathan Chomilo, COVID-19 vaccine equity director at MDH.

“Our efforts to work with community sites to host pop-up vaccination clinics or mobile vaccination units has helped us break down those barriers and meet people where they are. This includes finding ways to bring vaccines to people with disabilities.”

Camille says having the buses visit Richfield Towers, and other properties managed by Bigos Management, allowed residents to see their peers getting vaccinated, which helped them decide to get vaccinated themselves. The convenience factor was also a major bonus.

“Some residents had been unable to get to other places providing vaccines, but the busses made it so easy for them,” Camille says. “A couple residents are homebound, and the vaccine administrators were more than happy to go up to their apartments and give them the vaccines in their homes. All of these things were so wonderful for our residents.”

Getting creative with surroundings

Early in the process, the teams at MDH, Blue Cross and Metro Transit worked to figure out how to best configure the buses and surrounding space so that people, even with physical or mental challenges, could get a vaccine. On board, seats were removed to make space for people who may need a wheelchair, walker or other mobility assistance. Privacy curtains also help create a space that is calming and quiet for someone who may have conditions such as anxiety or autism.

The teams worked to figure out how to best configure the buses and surrounding space so that people, even with physical or mental challenges, could get a vaccine.

“Each mobile vaccination unit was specifically designed to be ADA accessible, and staff have been trained to work with patients and accommodate their needs while onsite to get their vaccine,” says Emily Smoak, the mobile vaccine units lead at MDH.

“We want to make these clinics welcoming and accessible to all as we work to vaccinate every Minnesotan who wants a COVID-19 vaccine.”

A “joyful” experience

Camille says hosting the vaccine bus at Richfield Towers was an absolute joy. “All of the staff were so very friendly, helpful and passionate but not at all pushy about getting anyone and everyone vaccinated.”

The vaccine bus also reinforces the belief that everyone should have equitable access to vaccines and other medical care, regardless of their life circumstances.

Camille can attest to that.  “These buses ensured my residents had the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19, which is an integral part of their health and wellbeing.”