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WCCUSD, Safeway, Hill Physicians Medical Group, Blue Shield of California team to immunize students
WCCUSD, Hill Physicians Medical Group, Safeway, and Blue Shield California teamed Thursday to immunize more than 200 students and provided over 300 turkeys and food boxes to students and their families during a joint immunization drive and turkey and food giveaway.
WCCUSD partnered with Safeway, Hill Physicians Medical Group, and Blue Shield of California to help immunize 244 students of the more than 600 students who needed the required school immunization during the seven-hour drive-thru clinic. Securing appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a barrier for students and families. To help ease that burden, WCCUSD partner with Hill Physicians Medical Group, Safeway, and Blue Shield of California to bring the immunization clinic to families
“I am proud and thankful to lead a district that does everything possible to serve students,” Superintendent Matthew Duffy said. “This public-private partnership is going to help more than 600 students stay healthy and safe.”
If the District had not been in a distance learning format and had been serving students with in-person instruction the 690 students would not be allowed to attend due to the missing immunizations.
“We are happy to be a part of this effort with WCCUSD, Safeway, and Blue Shield of California. By receiving the required school vaccines, we are helping students and protecting the health of our communities,” said David Joyner, CEO of Hill Physicians Medical Group
Safeway, Hill Physicians Medical Group, and Blue Shield of California worked together to secure the required vaccines and Safeway’s pharmacy team provided the necessary personnel to administer the vaccines to students. In addition, Safeway will continue to take walk-in appointments at its El Cerrito store for WCCUSD families that missed Thursday’s event or need the varicella vaccine.
“Protecting the health and well-being of our children has always been a priority at Blue Shield – especially this year as many families had to forego pediatrician visits because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Malaika Stoll, Senior Medical Director at Blue Shield of California. “We are proud to be working alongside Hill Physicians, Safeway, and the Western Contra Costa Unified School District to provide this drive-thru event where hundreds of students will not only receive vital immunization shots but much-needed nourishment, as we approach the holiday season.”
To entice families to utilize the drive-thru clinic, WCCUSD’s food services team also provided a 10- to 14-pound turkey and a week’s worth of food for students. The West Contra Costa Public Education Fund also supplied 200 $50 gift cards for families, and Safeway gave each family that received a vaccination a 10% off coupon for their next purchase at any Safeway store.