Important Message to LouVax Volunteers

LouVax Volunteers –

 

When I talk about the LouVax program with other vaccine leaders or members of the media, they are sometimes skeptical that we really operate with volunteer labor. What they don’t know is that volunteers are actually the “secret sauce” for LouVax – the key to our success, and the reason we’ve gotten so much attention and so many accolades. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times didn’t come all the way to this arena to see me – they came to see you. I have said over and over again that our volunteers are the heart and soul of our LouVax operation; I really mean it!

 

LouVax gave its first injections on December 31, 2020, when we vaccinated 18 first responders in a “wet run” for our processes. These days, each injection station gives almost that many doses every hour! Overall we have given nearly 75,000 total doses, and you guys have made that possible.

 

Together, we have done an amazing job caring for tens of thousands of Louisvillians in a drive through vaccination site. But as a health department, our mission is to serve those at the highest risk, and those who have the most barriers to access care; a mass vaccination site is not the best way to reach these people. So LouVax is nearing the close of its Arena chapter…but not the end of our story. We will soon be pivoting to focus our resources on our new venture, LouVax-Mobile.

 

You may be wondering…

 

What is a Mobile Mission?  Smaller than a mass vaccination operation, a Mobile Mission might serve 10 patients at an event or 1000. Each is tailored to a specific group and may focus on a neighborhood, a demographic, or an organization. Community partners are vital to the success of these events.

 

Why the change?  Because we seek to serve those on the margins, those who need the most help. The best way to serve them is to meet them where they are.

 

When will LouVax-Arena cease operations?  We will give our last round of primary doses on Friday, April 9th, and will cease operations at our current location on Friday, April 30th.

 

When will LouVax-Mobile begin?  It already has! We have done some pilot events over the past couple of weeks and will be expanding operations significantly as Arena operations wind down.

 

What about my booster dose?  If you received a primary dose from us, your booster dose is here for you. We will continue giving boosters through the end of April and will work with you to ensure you get scheduled.

 

But I’m almost at 40 hours!  We will honor our commitment to vaccinate our volunteers. If you are volunteering at LouVax and planning to receive your vaccine here (regardless of how many hours or shifts you have currently), please sign-up on the My Impact app so that we can be sure no one is missed. Use the “I’m Interested in Receiving the Vaccine at LouVax” link under the opportunities tab.

 

How can I help at LouVax-Mobile?  There will be opportunities for volunteers on Mobile Missions, but they will vary based on the events planned. Information will be shared via MyImpact when it is available.

 

How will you determine where to deploy mobile missions?Our team works with community stakeholders to identify locations and plan events. Groups interested in hosting a mobile mission can sign up on our website.

 

What vaccine will you be using on the mobile missions? Multiple products will be used, with the specific needs of the targeted group in mind. We have already hosted mobile missions with Moderna and Janssen vaccines.

 

When LouVax opened in January, Louisville had a COVID incidence rate of about 70 cases per 100,000 people and we were losing 10-20 residents to the disease each week; today, the incidence rate is 14 and thousands more people are being vaccinated every day. The fact that LouVax is able to transition is truly a testament to the work that you have done. We aren’t out of the woods yet, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. As Governor Beshear pointed out, that “tunnel” may very well be the one that runs through Broadbent Arena.

 

Maybe you came to LouVax as a way to earn your vaccine a bit earlier than you otherwise might, maybe you wanted to help your community, maybe you just wanted to get out of your basement quarantine – maybe it was a little of everything. Whatever the reason, I am so grateful that you came. I have learned much from you, and I have had so much fun on this project…watching reunions among former coworkers will be one of my favorite memories of this time! Leading LouVax has been an incredible honor, and I am so proud to have worked together with you to achieve so much.

 

Thank you,

 

SarahBeth Hartlage, MD MS
Director, LouVax