On June 23, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Blanchet House will host an outdoor walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic for people experiencing homelessness or staying in shelters. The event will be operated by the Harrington Health Clinic and University of Portland School of Nursing in the parking lot next to Blanchet House. Nurses will administer doses of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine provided by the Multnomah County Health Department.
The clinic will take place during Blanchet House’s lunch service when hundreds of people experiencing homelessness travel to the nonprofit for meals. A government-issued ID is not required to receive a vaccination as it is a barrier for many people living homeless in Portland. The lack of government-issued identification is a common problem among people experiencing homelessness so eliminating this barrier will ensure more people can receive the vaccine.
Student nurses from the University of Portland help a patient fill out a form to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at an outdoor clinic hosted by Blanchet House and the Harrington Health Clinic on May 19, 2021.
Alongside the vaccination tents, Harbor of Hope will park its shower truck and the Multnomah County Health Department will offer STI/STD testing.
“Many people experiencing homelessness trust Blanchet House as a place where their needs for food, shelter, and comfort can be met without judgment or discrimination,” says Scott Kerman, Executive Director of Blanchet House. “As a result, Blanchet House can act as a hub for other services.”
This is the second COVID-19 vaccine clinic hosted by Blanchet House this year. On May 19, 2021, nurses from the University of Portland and Harrington Health Clinic vaccinated more than 40 people in Blanchet House’s parking lot.
For more information about the clinic contact Blanchet House staff at info@blanchethouse.org. An event flyer for the clinic can be downloaded and printed here.
