The pandemic has been hard on everyone, but arguably harder on the people served by CUPS, who already face barriers to receiving the health care they need.
Removing obstacles and increasing accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine has been a priority for the organization. What started as a support for shelter populations has expanded into a CUPS outreach vaccination program that is providing access to immunizations for vulnerable members of our community.
It’s a program directly making an impact in the pandemic, but also proving to be personally inspiring to those on the CUPS team who are working tirelessly to provide fact-based, accurate information to everyone they talk to.
Kimberley Tateson-Bennett, CUPS Director of Health Services, is pleased to see the vaccine program continue at CUPS and knows that talking about it is helping to get the job done.
“Vaccines are a nice opportunity for us to engage with our clients,” says Kimberley. “When we’re seeing clients about other services, we can bring up the topic. Keeping that conversation open lets people get answers to their questions and can help them view vaccines positively – to ultimately take the step and receive the immunization.”
Conversation is an important part of the strategy in getting clients to receive their vaccine.
In a recent CUPS client vaccine clinic survey, 86 percent of respondents would recommend the COVID-19 vaccine to friends and family, after engaging with vaccine ambassadors. And 93 percent said all their questions were answered to make them feel more comfortable about being vaccinated.
“Multiple conversations are sometimes required,” says Kimberley. “So, we’re encouraging our staff to continue to talk to clients about vaccination.”
A federal grant provided funding to CUPS to offer incentives for clients to be vaccinated. The promise of gift cards, snacks, bagged lunches and even transportation removes barriers and encourages uptake.
Chris Anhorn, a Peer Support Worker at the CUPS vaccine clinic, says the incentives are working.
“When people are on the fence about getting vaccinated, a gift card tips the scale. It encourages them to come in and ask more questions about the vaccine,” says Chris.
It always comes back to conversation when making the decision to be vaccinated.
“An incentive can open the door to talking about vaccines and other CUPS services,” says Chris. “We have lots of discussions with clients and help them understand the facts about vaccines.”
Jason has been a client at CUPS for 18 years, and was pleased to receive a grocery gift card with his first vaccine dose.
“I’m going to be smoking meat tonight!” exclaims Jason with a laugh.
Jason is grateful that CUPS offers vaccines as part of his health and wellness journey with the organization. He sees a doctor, dentist and counsellor through CUPS, and also gets help with his taxes.
“CUPS gives me all the information I need, with no run-around,” he says.
CUPS administered 1,885 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the fiscal year April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
And the work isn’t over yet. Until October 2022, CUPS will continue to provide vaccines on-site at its 10th Avenue location, as well as through community outreach in partnership with local shelters and community partners.