Mayor Eric Johnson announces South Oak Cliff vaccination event in partnership with The Caring Foundation of Texas
By: Tristan Hallman
Tags: Vaccines, Covid 19, Press Release, Dallas

Mayor Eric Johnson announces South Oak Cliff vaccination event in partnership with The Caring Foundation of Texas Tristan Hallman Follow Apr 9 · 3 min read

DALLAS — Mayor Eric Johnson on Friday announced that he has partnered with community leaders and the Caring Foundation of Texas to host a COVID-19 vaccination event at South Oak Cliff High School.

The vaccination clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10. Vaccinators from Sanitas Medical Centers, UT Southwestern and Golden Life Wellness Center plan to administer about 250 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by appointment.

Mayor Johnson also worked with Uber to provide promo codes for free rides to and from the school. And Williams Chicken will provide food for the volunteers and staff at the site.

“This is a true team effort, which is ultimately what it will take to vanquish the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Johnson said. “To achieve community immunity against this deadly and devastating virus, we must ensure all of our neighborhoods have equitable access to these lifesaving vaccines.

“I am grateful for the Caring Foundation of Texas and all of our partners who are helping the wonderful South Oak Cliff community this weekend.”

Those who wish to receive a vaccine at the clinic can make an appointment through The Caring Foundation of Texas at carevan.bookappt.link/oakcliff

“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all to step up our missions in this crisis, particularly when it comes to equitable access to vaccinations,” said Sheena Payne, executive director of the Caring Foundation. “We have a long history of partnering with, and supporting community organizations. That’s why we are happy to participate in this initiative with the city of Dallas, Sanitas and other business and community organizations to provide vaccinations at South Oak Cliff High School.”

South Oak Cliff High School is located in the 75216 ZIP code, which is one of the highest-need areas in the city. The ZIP code was one of 17 that FEMA prioritized in Dallas County for its mass vaccination hub at Fair Park. Parkland Hospital’s 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment had also ranked the ZIP code as one of the five unhealthiest in Dallas County.

“We are excited to partner with Mayor Johnson, the Caring Foundation of Texas, UT Southwestern, and Golden Life Wellness Center on this effort to get our people vaccinated,” said South Oak Cliff community leader Derrick Battie, who previously served as a member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Safe Communities. “The South Oak Cliff community was hit hard by COVID-19, and these vaccines are a step toward providing equity to a neighborhood that greatly deserves it.”

Mayor Johnson and the City of Dallas have been working to provide equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines. The City operates a public vaccination hub at The Potter’s House in southern Dallas and, in partnership with VNA Meals on Wheels, will begin at-home vaccinations next week for homebound residents.

In addition, Project Unity, in partnership with UT Southwestern, will host an all-day vaccination event Saturday at Southwest Center Mall in southern Dallas. For that event, Uber, through its partnership with Mayor Johnson’s office, will also provide promo codes to people who need rides.

For more information about the City’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, visit DallasCityHall.com/coronavirus.