04/06/2022
Greenwood Leflore Hospital Receives the HRSA Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence Grant
GREENWOOD, April 6, 2022 ―Greenwood Leflore Hospital is the recipient of a Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence grant by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant will enable Greenwood Leflore Hospital to serve their patients more efficiently to improve vaccine confidence, counter vaccine hesitancy, and help with access to vaccinations in our community.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the effects of the virus on the vaccinated vs the unvaccinated. Libby Walker, grant writer for Greenwood Leflore Hospital, states, “Greenwood Leflore Hospital is located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, an area characterized by its high levels of poverty, illiteracy, chronic disease, and health disparities. Compliance and access to care are serious issues for our population, especially since the pandemic.”
While it is still possible to have a breakthrough infection if you are vaccinated, the chances of serious illness, hospitalization, and death are greatly reduced. A booster shot is twice as effective as two shots against infection and almost completely effective against hospitalization (90 percent) and death (95 percent), even after three months.
Greenwood Leflore Hospital will utilize the following approaches to help our patient population access the vaccinations they need. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters will be available. Greenwood Leflore Hospital will be having pop up clinics in various locations to facilitate access to vaccines for residents. For those who need transportation to receive a vaccine, a van will pick up patients and take them to the vaccine site and return them to their homes after they have received their vaccine(s).
“There is a high rate of vaccine hesitancy within our communities. To counter or dispel much of the misinformation that is out there, our team of networkers will also provide resource materials and education to help improve vaccine confidence,” states Denetra Winston-Spells, project coordinator for the grant.
Greenwood Leflore Hospital wants to help people get vaccinated for infectious diseases. Vaccines assist the body’s immune system in defending against harmful diseases that can cause sickness and death. Key Britt, project director for the grant, who also serves Greenwood Leflore Hospital as Vice President of Administrative Services, states, “Greenwood Leflore Hospital is committed to improving the vaccination rate and educating our community on prevention and treatment of COVID-19.”
Individuals who would like more information on the vaccine confidence project or who would like to schedule an appointment can call 662-459-7175 or 662-299-4192 to speak to one of our community health networkers.