Shots available at Walgreens beginning Friday
Zam DeShields, Community & Neighborhood Services, 509.625.6706
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 1:49 p.m.
Walgreens has partnered with the City of Spokane to provide flu shots to those who have no insurance or are underinsured.
Beginning with Homeless Connect today at the Salvation Army Community Center, Walgreens will provide flu shots over the next week to qualified individuals ages nine and older. Free vaccines will be available at all area Walgreens from Jan. 31 through Feb. 7 during regular pharmacy hours while supplies last.
“Community partnerships are a powerful resource in our efforts to connect people to services that move them forward in their lives,” said Jonathan Mallahan, city director of Community and Neighborhood Services. “We are excited that Walgreens has stepped up to provide assistance that will improve the health of hundreds of people throughout the community.”
Walgreens administered the first vaccines today during the five-hour Homeless Connect event.
“Helping people in our community stay healthy is what we do every day,” said Greg Thomas of Walgreens. “This partnership is a way to give back to the community we live in.”
Homeless Connect, which connects individuals experiencing homelessness with service providers, also includes a free meal, access to social, family, veterans and housing services, medical screenings, clothing food bank access and haircuts in partnership with the Spokane Regional Point-in-Time Count. Homeless Connect partners are Molina Healthcare, Family Promise of Spokane, SNAP, CHAS, Catholic Charities of Spokane, United Healthcare, Seven2, Community Health Plan of Washington and Joe’s Handyman Service.
The Point-in-Time Count census started Thursday and will run through this week. Participants are asked to complete a form identifying their housing circumstances. The data is used to complete grant applications and reports required by state and federal homeless service funders. The information also supports strategic planning for the allocation of resources that most effectively meet community needs.
