CareSource Volunteers Support COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Effort

CareSource looks for opportunities to proactively identify ways to help within the community in order to make a lasting difference in our members lives. We have put forth efforts to help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 but there is still much work to be done to improve the vaccination rate. Nationally, there is a need for volunteers to help administer the vaccination and CareSource is proud to offer our employees ways to help.

Since the end of January,​ 124 employees have contributed 1,420 volunteer hours assisting with testing, check-in, administering vaccinations and observing individuals who have had the vaccination to watch​ for adverse effects. ​

In early March, a group of volunteers visited a health facility in Dayton to help administer vaccinations. 

"I think I can speak for all of us that the time we spent at Alex Central Health Center in Miamisburg, Ohio was very worthwhile," shared Janet Malenfant, Systems Analyst II. "We enjoyed helping 120 individuals get their vaccinations." 

In April, vaccination event organizers at the Spanish Pentecostal Church in Cleveland communicated the need for bilingual individuals to assist in their efforts. CareSource employees Marta Leal and Erika Hernandez stepped up to provide assistance for 150 individuals who attended the event to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. They provided education on the vaccination and reiterated the importance of sustaining their health and protecting themselves and those around them.

"I had a strong personal desire to help the Hispanic community," shared Marta. "As a bilingual social worker, it was apparent that it would take a combined effort to increase the numbers of vaccinations and assist the community. I shared with individuals that having the vaccine is the best option rather than falling into a high-risk category of becoming critically ill if they get the virus. It was a wonderful experience."

​CareSource has more than 2 million members and is working to remove barriers to vaccination and ensuring the importance is understood. CareSource is monitoring pharmacy and claims data to determine who has received vaccinations, identifying health disparities and prioritizing outreach to those members. We've created an outreach campaign to members emphasizing the importance of getting the vaccine and are leveraging an outbound call campaign, hold messages, member newsletter, the website and a "lead by example" media strategy.  Additionally, there is an outreach effort to high-risk members as well as members who received their first dose to encourage them to obtain their second dose.

CareSource continues to follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as we do our part to help Stop the Spread.

To access all state health department websites, click here. For a list of the CDC's frequently asked questions and answers about the COVID-19 vaccination distribution and safety, click here.