To provide greater equity in its vaccine distribution, Arlington County is partnering with the Arlington Free Clinic (AFC) to vaccinate eligible residents in communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Under the partnership agreement, the County’s Public Health Division will provide a limited portion of its weekly vaccine allocation to AFC to increase vaccine access to people who are uninsured or underinsured. Vaccines will be allocated to those who meet AFC client criteria and who are already eligible to receive it based on VDH priority guidelines. All vaccines will be by appointment only.
“This partnership is a way to ensure our most vulnerable populations—those disproportionately affected by COVID-19—have more equitable access to vaccines when they are eligible,” said Dr. Reuben Varghese, Public Health Director for Arlington County.
“Arlington Free Clinic is proud to partner with Arlington County to help provide access to vaccines for our at-risk neighbors,” added Nancy White, President of the Arlington Free Clinic. “We know there are often challenges to the traditional scheduling process, such as technology or language/literacy issues, and we want to be able to offer this accessibility for our neighbors.”
“Arlington is committed to the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in our community,” Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said. “I am grateful to the Free Clinic, our Public Health Director and the County Manager for making this partnership happen as one of several steps we are taking to ensure we serve all Arlington residents fairly and efficiently.”
This is the latest effort to increase health equity in Arlington County for populations most affected by the COVID-19 virus. The County has previously worked with Arlington Free Clinic to provide pop-up testing opportunities as well as static, no-cost, no insurance testing at Arlington Mill Community Center.
Learn more at the County’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage and sign up for the COVID-19 Update newsletter.