Vaccines with care

NW Disability Support (NWDSA/ABI) is one of the few disability-focused, community-based organizations helping the Oregon Health Authority around COVID-19 information and awareness, and vaccine information. Our team understands disability and how to get creative to meet diverse needs. Here’s a great example.

We had a family come to our event on their seventh attempt to get a COVID-19 vaccine for their lovely, full-of-life 15-year-old-girl who experiences a disability. Our team spent some time with dad to find out what his daughter liked, what her needs were, what motivates her, and how we could make this the quickest, best experience for all. We had all the paperwork and vaccine ready to go before she got out of the car. We worked out that she loves stuffed animals, sparkles, and a good party, and is always motivated by a shout-out. We had a big stuffed unicorn she got to keep, had a bubble machine going, and worked with the vaccine team to come to the make-shift party tent and vaccinate the girl standing up. The parents gave her a big family group hug, and our team gathered around her while we cheered, blew bubbles, clapped and she got the poke. It was over super fast and she herself was so excited she did it. She also took away a copy of our Beating COVID comic which she loved and which helped her prepare for her second vaccine.

This experience was an incredible relief for the family, and they were so excited to come back to our next event to get her second dose, and this time she came back knowing what to expect and looking for her vaccinator friend, Diendre. This second shot went smoothly and was a huge success. We so appreciated the creativity and openness of this team to just roll with us. When the little ones start getting vaccinated it will be great to have lots of support and creativity.

We wanted to give a shout-out to the Multnomah Learning Academy team for being our vaccine partners, offering outreach to the community. Thank you Sheri Fitzsimmons, Ann Donaca and team!