Resident Commissioner Announces Inclusion of the Island in the Vaccination Program for Disadvantaged Communities

Press Release

In the coming weeks, 15 Health Centers in Puerto Rico will be invited to join the Vaccination Program in Health Centers as part of the initiative of the Health Resources and Services Administration under the federal Department of Health (HRSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure underserved communities and people disproportionately affected by COVID-19 are equitably vaccinated, the commissioner announced resident, Jenniffer González Colón.

"I am pleased to share with you this great initiative that will speed up the vaccination process in Puerto Rico, and especially make it accessible to communities where low-income families live. I invite the population to agree to get the COVID vaccine as soon as they have the opportunity to get it and help defeat this virus, "said the resident commissioner.

The centers that will be invited to participate are; Centro de Salud Familiar Dr. Julio Palmieri Ferri, Inc. in Arroyo, Servicios de Salud Primarios de Barceloneta, Inc., Community Health Foundation of Puerto Rico Inc. in Bayamón, Health Corporation Insured by Nuestra Organización Solidaria, Inc. (SANOS) in Caguas, Camuy Health Services, Inc., Hospital General de Castañer, Inc. in Castañer, Prymed Medical Care, Inc. in Ciales, Corporación de Servicios de Salud y Medicina Avanzada in Cidra, NEOMED Center, Inc. in Gurabo, Corporación de Primary Medical Services and Prevention of Hatillo, Centro de Salud de Lares, Inc., Concilio de Salud Integral de Loíza, Inc., Migrant Health Center Western Region, Inc. in Mayagüez, Morovis Community Health Center, Inc., Salud Integral in the Montana, Inc. in Naranjito,

HRSA-funded health centers are patient-led, community-based organizations that provide affordable, quality, and cost-effective primary health care. Nationwide, about 1,400 HRSA-funded health centers operate approximately 13,000 locations and provide primary and preventive care. More than 91% of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and about 63% of patients are racial and / or ethnic minorities. Health centers are playing a vital role in supporting the efforts of local communities against the COVID-19 emergency.

Today some 700 health centers were invited to participate in the next phase of the program. These centers serve a high proportion of minority and low-income patients, rural or border populations, and operate health programs for indigenous people in urban and tribal areas who use van-type buses to provide services.

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