CONTACT: Anna Laven, Ed.D., BKRHC Executive Director, 310-592-8557, anna.laven@bkrhc.org
More than 200 people receive COVID-19 vaccine at local homeless shelters and navigation centers
Individuals experiencing homelessness, staff at four emergency shelters and navigation centers vaccinated
BAKERSFIELD, CA – More than 200 individuals experiencing homelessness and service provider staff received COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday, March 15, 2021. The individuals were residing and/or working at the four congregate shelters and navigation centers in metro Bakersfield: the Mission at Kern County, Bakersfield Homeless Center, Brundage Lane Navigation Center and M Street Navigation Center.
“As we see COVID-19 rates improve and Kern County moves towards the “red tier,” it’s critical that we make every effort possible to protect our neighbors,” said Dr. Anna Laven, BKRHC Executive Director. “Providing COVID-19 vaccines for our neighbors experiencing homelessness is a vital step in the right direction to help keep them and our community safe.”
Individuals at the Mission at Kern County received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Individuals at the Bakersfield Homeless Center and both navigation centers were offered a choice of either the Johnson and Johnson or Pfizer vaccine, with most patients choosing Johnson and Johnson. Vaccinations at the Mission at Kern County were administered by VIPMD Primary and Specialty Care. Vaccinations at the Bakersfield Homeless Center and both navigation centers were administered by staff from Kern Medical, in partnership with the Kern County Department of Public Health.
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ABOUT THE BAKERSFIELD-KERN REGIONAL HOMELESS COLLABORATIVE
The Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC) is an independent nonprofit organization composed of individuals, organizations and public agencies working to address homelessness in our community. Through collaborative planning and action, BKRHC works to reduce the impacts of homelessness and build a future where every person in Kern County has a permanent place to call home.