Pierce County residents help each other.

From neighbors sharing food with neighbors, to friends driving friends to vaccine appointments, Pierce County residents show up for one another.

Our Community Engagement team sees kindness happen every day. And we’re inspired. It makes us want to do our best to show up, too.

We asked local partners how we could help create new opportunities to talk about vaccine. No pressure. No preaching. Just listening and having a casual conversation with people who already live and work in your neighborhood.

Many people are not flat-out against vaccinations. Some have fears and concerns about safety and effectiveness. Talking through some of these issues in a no-pressure zone is our best path forward to ending this pandemic.

Casual and Connected clinics provide a space for you to:

• Ask questions.
• Share concerns.
• Tell us what you’ve heard.
• Talk about COVID-19.

What is Casual and Connected?

Casual and Connected clinics will be at the same location and time, once a week, for 6 to 8 weeks. Everyone is welcome.

Some may be at food banks, others may be at parks or community centers. Find the list of current clinics and stay up to date when we add more on our COVID-19 Vaccine Event calendar.

These clinics will be in areas hit hardest by COVID-19 and staffed by people who live there.

Many people in our communities aren’t ready to get the COVID-19 vaccine. People have questions and concerns because of all the misinformation and rumors swirling around. Some people may also just want to talk about everything that’s happening with the pandemic, and we are here to listen.

We created Casual and Connected because everyone’s questions and concerns should be heard.

We know vaccine protects you and your loved ones from getting COVID-19, but we also understand vaccination is a very personal decision.

We’ll also be sharing our experiences about getting vaccinated, and why we decided to get the shot.

Can you get the vaccine at a Casual and Connected clinic?

Sure.

Most Casual and Connected clinics have small batches of vaccine on site. But sharing resources and having open conversations remains the main goal.

Who can participate?

Anyone!

You can come by yourself or bring your family, friends, or neighbors to get their questions answered.

Can I get help with other health issues or concerns?

Definitely.

Our on-site staff are familiar with other resources, and we can point you in the right direction if we can’t help on-site.

Why is talking so important?

Many people have concerns and we understand that. Some are related to events of the past with health equity. This could include anything from historic trauma, to general mistreatment groups have seen by the government and health institutions.

Other fears may come from misinformation. We think it’s important to hear those concerns, answer as many questions as possible and rebuild trust.

What is the Health Department’s Community Engagement team?

For many people in our community, accessing local public health, justice, and social services is not easy. It’s why we created a Community Engagement team. We are dedicated to eliminating barriers that limit healthcare access to members of our community. That could be anything from insufficient information to inadequate or no health insurance and general distrust of government and medical providers.

During the pandemic, Community Engagement teams work with community partners to make sure those hit hardest by COVID-19 have access to healthcare, testing and vaccines. We also spend time in local communities sharing information in multiple languages.

Our team is full of trusted messengers, but you’re the expert in your community. That’s why we’ve launched our Trusted Messenger campaign. Read more stories and their reasons for getting vaccinated.

Find your dose.

We know vaccines are the number one way to protect you against COVID-19 and new variants.

Find your vaccination today at tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture. Everyone 12 and older is eligible. You can register online or just drop in at any clinic and get vaccinated without an appointment.

If you need a ride to an appointment or can’t easily leave your home, we can help! Call us at (253) 649-1412, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 days a week.

Help stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Wear your mask.
• If you’re sick, stay home.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Get tested if you experience symptoms or were exposed.