Blessing Health System has received a Rural Health Vaccine Confidence Program Grant in the amount of $445,761 from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

“In this case, vaccine confidence is the trust that the public has in the COVID-19 vaccines, the providers who administer the vaccines and the processes and policies that lead to vaccine development, licensure or authorization, manufacturing, and recommendations for use,” said Julie Shepard, MS, Administrative Coordinator of Community Health Innovation, Blessing Health System.

“Many factors influence vaccine decision-making, including cultural, social, and political factors; individual and group factors; and vaccine-specific factors,” she concluded. “Through its nine rural clinics across the Tri-State area and a media campaign, Blessing Health System will provide people with accurate information on which to base an informed decision about receiving the vaccine, and help removing any barriers to receiving the vaccine, with the goal of promoting vaccine confidence.

Specific elements of Blessing’s program will include:

  • Development of a marketing campaign to include a wide range of strategies to promote vaccine confidence messaging and information regarding how and where to get vaccinated.
  • Providing community education to guide individuals through the vaccine decision-making process using a variety of methods including hosting ongoing community educational seminars conducted by clinic providers; development and distribution of materials including posters/flyers, postcards/mailers, patient portal messaging, patient emails, text messaging, and the organization’s website. 
  • Providing individualized patient care coordination assistance to help overcome barriers to obtaining the vaccine including scheduling of patient appointments, assistance with transportation and assistance in overcoming other barriers to obtaining the vaccine.

“Blessing’s nine rural health clinics in west central Illinois and northeast Missouri are among nearly 2,000 across the country involved with this initiative,” said Gina Genenbacher, director, Rural Health, Blessing Physician Services. “Rural health clinics are valuable partners with their local communities and these funds will help educate and address the health and wellness gaps in the communities rural health clinics serve by addressing barriers patients face in getting various vaccinations, particularly, at this time, the COVID-19 vaccine.”

To learn more about where you can get a vaccine please click here.