MADISON, Wis. – To help equitably vaccinate the public against COVID-19, UW Health is partnering with community organizations serving communities of color for population-specific vaccination clinics.

On Monday, the health system partnered with The Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce to vaccinate almost 200 essential workers in Dane County.

We currently have a lower rate of vaccination amongst our Black, Latinx and Asian communities, said Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, vice president and chief diversity officer, UW Health.

“Given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our communities of color, it is vitally important to ensure racial equity in vaccination,” she said. “At UW Health we stand committed to address these disparities through our vaccine racial equity initiative by creating dedicated access and removing barriers such as language and transportation.”

Through the Latino Chamber of Commerce, Latinx-owned businesses including restaurants and markets were able to vaccinate their owners and employees. The essential workers received vaccinations at UW Health’s Arboretum Clinic, 1102 S. Park St.

“Our partnership with UW Health is invaluable during this vaccination process,” said Jessica Cavazos, chief executive officer, of The Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce. “Our Latinx-owned businesses have been essential in serving the needs of the community during the pandemic and creating access to vaccines is a moral imperative.”

UW Health will be partnering with many more community groups to hold vaccination clinics in the coming months, Bidar-Sielaff said.

In addition to dedicated vaccine equity clinics, UW Health continues to work in collaboration with Public Health Madison & Dane County and other health systems to provide culturally and linguistically relevant information about COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that our communities of color have access to reliable information and feel empowered to make informed decisions related to vaccination.

Bidar-Sielaff will be available for interviews today, as well as B-roll of the vaccination clinic.

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