Health clinic to fight 'vaccine inequity' opened for BIPOC in WA

A pop-up coronavirus vaccine clinic in Oak Harbor, WA, opened Thursday to specifically cater to those who are black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). An appointment at Island Drug, did not require an ID card. Health insurance was not necessary either, and translation services in multiple languages were offered.

According to the Whidbey News Times, the clinic opened in response to an Island County commissioners' community panel that was formed earlier this year "to address the lack of equity in vaccine distribution."

Irene Vernon, a member of the group who has a doctorate in ethnic studies, said the walk-in clinic dedicated to people of color, with no ID or insurance required, is meant to create a comfortable, welcoming space.

"There’s something about going to a place, especially if you are leery to begin with, and seeing other people who look like you," she said.

According to a flyer for the clinic, "Island County is committed to equity. We want to make sure that the communities most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic have the opportunity to be vaccinated. This inclusive vaccine clinic welcomes anyone who identifies as a person of color and their households at no cost."

Last month, it was revealed that The Washington State Department of Health was allowing providers to deny vaccines to white people. At the African American Reach and Teach Health Ministry (AARTH), a taxpayer funded vaccine provider in the state, non-BIPOC persons were asked not to sign up for open vaccine appointments and were put on a standby list. This exclusion applied also to those in the most vulnerable groups, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. The website has since been updated.

Larry Behrendt, another member of the panel, was cited by the Whidbey News Times as saying that one of the challenges was "getting the word out to underserved communities." The outlet stated that "Much of the communication from the county, or government in general, more easily reaches the whiter, more affluent population, whether it's through relationships in the community, social media, old-fashioned mail or word of mouth."

Behrendt told the outlet that the latest statistics from the county show that "35 percent of white people in Island County have been vaccinated, while only 14.5 percent of African-Americans, 26 percent of Asian-Americans and 27 percent of Native Americans or Alaska Natives have been. The vaccination rate for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders is nearly 42 percent. In addition, nearly 16 percent of Latinos have gotten a vaccine while 31.5 percent of non-Latinos have."

These disparities are being blamed on discrimination. A Health Department employee told The Post Millennial that the Oak Harbor pop up clinic for BIPOC was meant to help address the data showing that those communities were underserved but that people of all races were allowed at the location.