They drove away happy, grinning and giving thumbs-up signs to the healthcare workers who gave them the so-called “jab.”
“I feel more free!” enthused a man named Tasfay, who had been texting with his friends about a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Shoreline Library.
“My friends said, ‘go ahead! Get the vaccine! Only one shot!” he said. “So I came and we are all spreading the word. This is amazing.”
The King County Library System continually pursues partnerships that serve the public in meaningful ways. On May 17, KCLS teamed with International Community Health Service (ICHS) to provide a mobile pop-up vaccination clinic. The three-hour event, held at Shoreline Library’s parking lot, allowed people to receive a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while sitting in their cars in socially distanced stalls.
“I felt that,” half-joked Maddy K. after a medical assistant inserted the syringe in her arm. “But it’s just one shot.”
She said she and her husband waited to get the vaccine mostly because they couldn’t take time off work. The library clinic made it quick and easy.
“It was really convenient for us,” Maddy said. “This has been great. We’ll still take precautions, but now I feel extra safe.”
Dave R. agreed. He sat in his truck, got his “one and done” shot and said, “I was waiting to let others get theirs and see how things went. This is convenient.”
KCLS strives to lower barriers and increase access to what people need, whether books, resources, technology–or COVID-19 vaccines. Another KCLS effort provides laptops to a vaccination clinic at a homeless shelter in Renton. Mobile Outreach staff deliver the laptops to the Downtown Emergency Service Center site to help with a range of services. Funding comes from a Washington State CARES grant obtained by the KCLS Foundation.
Lawrence R., ICHS contracts and operations coordinator, worked with KCLS’ Health and Social Services Coordinator Melissa G. to host the health organization’s first library-based clinic.
“This clinic is pretty unique, so it’s good to see folks coming in,” he said, adding that while increased vaccine availability and sites have helped fight the pandemic, there are many people who have yet to be fully vaccinated. Using state and ICHS databases, healthcare providers can identify areas by zip code to determine where vaccination needs are higher. Shoreline was one such area.
Twenty people, including some walk-ups, received vaccinations, and ICHS officials were pleased, saying “every single person counts” toward bending the curve. The clinic included medical assistants and a nurse, who followed strict protocols for administering doses, entering information into a database and monitoring people for at least 15 minutes post-dose to ensure there were no side effects and they were safe to drive home.
Travis Q. got his shot after delaying because of “needle hesitancy.” He said the library clinic made it easy, convincing him to do his part. He urged others to do the same.
“I’ve always been terrified of needles, so if I can get it, anyone can,” he said. “I feel great and am glad I came. It’s the thing we all need to do to beat the pandemic and get our lives back to normal.”
Others agreed.
“Nobody’s complaining,” Tasfay said to library and ICHS staff. “We appreciate you guys!”
