The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on communities across the globe. Thanks to the effort put forth by scientists, researchers, doctors, among many others, vaccines have been developed that have shown evidence of generating strong immune responses against the COVID-19 virus. As the scientific community and public officials have emphasized, widespread vaccination is an essential pillar of battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
BAPS Charities organized a COVID-19 Vaccination Drive in Chicago, IL on April 01, 2021, in collaboration with Prism Health Lab benefitting 1,111 participants.
Through the medical staff’s professional support, participants were guided through the registration process, received their vaccinations, and were provided post-vaccination care. BAPS Charities volunteers played an essential role in ensuring that the vaccinated patients had a pleasant and smooth experience. In particular, the volunteers assisted in providing socially distanced flow, sanitization protocols, and translation services.
Dr. Mehbub Kapadia, Medical Director for Prism Health Lab, expressed, “I am so thankful to the volunteers at BAPS Charities for putting this event together in only two days. This event is one of the best events we have done, among the over 100 drives we done so far.”
Rachel L of Chicago, IL, stated she is getting vaccinated “for the loved ones in my family, for those that I am encountering, just to save a life honestly that’s why I wanted to get the vaccination, to protect those who I love.”
Before the vaccination drives, BAPS Charities saw a community need for vaccine education in an accessible format for the Indian diaspora. BAPS Charities created a video to provide multiple perspectives from credentialed doctors & researchers with Gujarati subtitles.
In line with historical campaigns such as flu vaccine drives, health insurance information drives, health awareness lectures, health fairs, and BAPS Charities has endeavored to support all individuals’ health and well-being. Battling the misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccines and provide vaccination infrastructure is in line with that mission.
