Health Officials Discuss Joint Effort on COVID-19 Prevention in Underserved Communities

Federal officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gathered in front of the Berks Community Health Center in the Oakbrook section of Reading Tuesday.

Representatives from both HUD and HHS discussed a joint agency effort in the mid-Atlantic region to increase access to COVID-19 prevention and treatment services among underserved communities, including among HUD-assisted households and people experiencing homelessness.

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Last month, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced their partnership in Washington, D.C. to access to COVID-19 prevention and treatment services, including testing and vaccinations, among disproportionately affected communities, including among HUD-assisted households and people experiencing homelessness.

The effort will leverage the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, which currently provides a direct supply of vaccines to nearly 800 health centers across the country.

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HUD and HHS expect the effort will reach over 6,000 multifamily housing properties, 6,700 homeless shelters, and approximately 7,500 public housing properties across the country to respond to and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Following the press conference, officials toured the Berks Community Health Center and welcomed residents to a walk-up vaccine clinic held at the facility.

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Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly is an independent and locally owned digital newspaper covering the City of Reading and Berks County. Subscribe today: berksweekly.com/subscribe
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