All Faith Vaccination Campaign in Philadelphia Announced

May 26, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Business and faith leaders gathered yesterday at the Independence Blue Cross courtyard to launch a new initiative among faith-based leaders aims to get shots into the arms of people in under-served communities.

Rev. Lorina Marshall-Blake, President, Independence Blue Cross Foundation

A partnership of nearly 50 entities and organizations
from diverse faith traditions is joining forces with health care institutions and the
City of Philadelphia to launch the All Faiths Vaccination Campaign (AFVC).
AFVC seeks to use the power of faith traditions to strengthen the health of
underserved communities, provide vaccines to at-risk and marginalized
populations across the City of Philadelphia and ensure equitable access of
vaccinations to Black and Brown communities through education to help close
the racial disparity gap in vaccination access in Philadelphia.

Greg Deavens, President and CEO, Independence Blue Cross

Beginning on Thursday, May 27th , the Campaign will have a community launch
with vaccinations on-site to be administered by CHOP at the Mt. Olivet
Tabernacle Baptist Church (647 N. 42 nd Street) from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Mister Softee will also be on location giving away free ice cream cones to all
those who get vaccinated with proof of vaccination card. Philabundance will
also provide emergency food relief to families and individuals at Mt. Olivet
Tabernacle Baptist Church and People’s Baptist Church (5039 Baltimore
Ave) from 1:00 pm – 3:30pm. The AFVC is concentrating its efforts on the
Memorial Day holiday (starting this week) through the commemoration
of Juneteenth on June 19 th .

Loree Jones, President, Philabundance.

Philabundance will provide emergency food relief to families and
individuals at Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church and People’s Baptist Church (5039
Baltimore Ave) from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm.

**Rev. Dr. Malcolm Byrd,** president and CEO of Forum Philly and one of the key organizers of AFVC, said, “Now that safe, preventative vaccines that are proven medically effective are available, it is our collective resolve to protect those communities through vaccinations,”

**Dr. Natalia Ortiz, President, Philadelphia County Medical Society**

Dr. Priscilla Mpasi, Region II Chair, National Medical Association

Rev. Robert Collier, President, Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity

Dr. William King, Vice President, Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania

For more information please visit www.allfaithsvaccinationcampaign.org and #HopeandHealingPhilly
on social media.

Independence Blue Cross and vybe urgent care team up to open Independence LIVE as a COVID-19 vaccination site

March 23, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and vybe urgent care (vybe) announce the opening of a COVID-19 vaccination site at Independence LIVE (1919 Market Street in Philadelphia), on the Independence Blue Cross campus. The site is open to residents of Philadelphia who meet the City of Philadelphia’s eligibility guidelines – which now includes people 65 and older – and who have made an appointment. There is also focused outreach being done by Independence and vybe to reach priority populations defined by the City.

Appointments for the general public are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Independence and vybe will also be reaching out to eligible members/patients in Philadelphia to schedule them for appointments at Independence LIVE.
“We hope that the site helps make it possible for the City to inoculate more eligible people in an efficient and equitable way.” – **Gregory E. Deavens**

“This is truly a time to be optimistic in the battle against COVID-19,” said Peter Hotz, president and CEO of vybe urgent care. “Every vaccine we give moves us to a safer and healthier city, and we know Philadelphians are ready to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated.”

Philadelphia residents who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine can make an appointment at Independence LIVE by visiting vybe.care or by calling 215-999-3715.