COVID-19 Infographic: Fewer than 40,000 residents are needed to fully vaccinate 80 percent of Coachella Valley population
February 11, 2022 - District Staff
The Coachella Valley recently reached a milestone in its collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 300,000, or 74.8 percent, of eligible valley residents are fully vaccinated, surpassing the vaccination rates of Riverside County, the state of California, and the U.S. (Eligible residents are 5 years old and older.)
For more than a year, the Coachella Valley Equity Collaborative has contributed to this milestone with an emphasis on equity -- dismantling many barriers to COVID-19 educational outreach, testing, vaccines and other resources for traditionally underserved valley residents such as farmworkers, seniors, and economically disadvantaged communities.
Since the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation established the Collaborative in fall 2020, with funding support from Riverside County Public Health, it has grown from eight to more than 25 community-based, faith-based and other organizations as partners. The continued support of the county and Public Health Institute has allowed the Collaborative to offer 234 COVID-19 vaccine events and 93 testing events, as of February 9, 2022.
"Many healthcare and nonprofit organizations serving the Coachella Valley have contributed to helping our residents protect themselves from the coronavirus over the past two years," said Dr. Conrado Bárzaga, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO. "But I am certain our community would not have the more than 300,000 residents fully vaccinated today without the equitable approach taken by the Desert Healthcare Foundation and Coachella Valley Equity Collaborative.
"Early on in this pandemic, we identified the barriers that many residents face to general health and wellness. It was evident we would need to remove these same barriers -- such as transportation, time off work, language, and technological challenges -- to provide access to COVID-19 education, testing, vaccines and other resources. It's a commitment in alignment with the Healthcare District's mission and one we continue to honor."
The Collaborative's goal for the Coachella Valley is to help ensure that 80 percent of the valley's total population is fully vaccinated. Reaching this goal requires another 37,751 eligible residents to be fully vaccinated. For the Collaborative's other main objectives and valley vaccines and testing by the numbers, please see the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation's infographic.
The Collaborative offers multiple COVID-19 vaccine and testing clinics across the Coachella Valley free of charge. Find a vaccine or testing clinic near you by visiting the District and Foundation's COVID-19 event calendar.
About the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation
The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare, housing, food, and transportation resources for medical appointments.