News
Health Net's "RVax 180" Initiative Brings 180 Mobile Vaccination Clinics to Communities and Schools Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19
Date: 12/20/21
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (December 20, 2021) — To increase health equity and make COVID-19 vaccines accessible to as many Californians as possible, Health Net will facilitate 180 mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics in neighborhoods across the state.
"COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective way to protect against serious illness and hospitalization," said Brian Ternan, president and CEO of Health Net. "With four decades of experience serving California's most vulnerable residents, Health Net is proud to take the lead and provide mobile vaccine clinics to residents in the hardest hit communities up and down the state."
These events – open to both Health Net members and non-members alike – have been held in partnership with trusted community messengers. Notable "RVax 180" clinics and partners include:
- Thirty events at middle schools in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The schools were selected based on high Medi-Cal population density, and were paired with a flag football activity hosted by the Rams.
- Ten clinics with the United Farm Workers Foundation in Merced and Kings counties.
- Two events with NFL Hall of Famer and University of Southern California standout Anthony Munoz in East Los Angeles and in his hometown of Ontario.
Health Net's "RVax 180" Initiative is Comprehensive
In partnership with the County of San Bernardino, Health Net held its first mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic on April 1, 2021 at Calico Ghost Town. Since then, the company has facilitated 140 clinics in 11 counties across the state, including Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Merced, Orange, Placer, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties.
The company's partners have been as diverse as California itself. Health Net has partnered with employers looking to vaccinate their employees, non-profit agencies such as the California Farmworker Foundation, faith-based organizations and school districts across the state such as Sacramento City Unified.
In the eight months since vaccines became widely available, Health Net's mobile vaccination initiative has administered more than 12,000 COVID-19 vaccines. The company's goal is to reach 180 total clinics by the end of March 2022 – one year after our first clinic.
The Health Net "RVax 180" is named after Health Net's RVs, which have been repurposed for the vaccine program. The RVs enable mobile vaccines by providing a space for vaccinations away from the elements such as rain, wind or excessive heat.
Support During the Pandemic
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Net has invested more than $14.5 million to support providers, members, and local communities.
- Providers: Health Net addressed the needs of providers on the frontline with grants that increased access to telehealth, direct provision of PPE supplies, and support for vaccination through education, training to address vaccine hesitancy and a database pilot.
- At the onset of COVID-19, Health Net collaborated with the Department of Managed Health Care to fast track $13.4 million in grants to 138 Medi-Cal providers to build or expand their telemedicine services. This was critical to ensuring Medi-Cal enrollees had continued, safe access to care.
- Members: Health Net supported members through quick deployment of a COVID-19 symptom checker and access to 24/7 virtual care, a homebound program that brought providers to members who couldn't leave home and vaccine outreach efforts that deployed resources into hard-hit communities.
- Communities: Health Net met the increased needs of its communities through direct engagement to address core issues like food bank support, gift cards for essentials and donations to local recovery efforts.