COVID-19 vaccination program at a student-run free clinic: A descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Health Equity

Background:

• Historically marginalized communities face significant barriers to healthcare access and have lower vaccination rates.
• The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic exacerbated existing health disparities.
• Structural barriers, including language, technology access, work schedules, transportation, and misinformation, hinder vaccine uptake in vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a student-run free clinic's SARS-CoV-2 vaccination program in reaching underserved populations.
• To compare SARS-CoV-2 vaccine primary series completion rates at the free clinic with those in the broader Davidson County, Tennessee population.
• To identify key barriers and facilitators for vaccination among vulnerable patient groups.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted at a student-run free clinic in Nashville, Tennessee, from January 15 to August 1, 2021.
• Medical student volunteers facilitated appointment scheduling and addressed patient vaccine-related questions.
• SARS-CoV-2 vaccine primary series completion was tracked for 273 patients and compared to Davidson County adult vaccination data.

Main Results:

• Of 273 free clinic patients, 63.1% completed their primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccination series by August 1, 2021.
• This completion rate exceeded the Davidson County adult average of 58.9% (Risk Difference: 4.2%, 95% CI: -1.5% to 9.9%).
• Spanish-speaking patients demonstrated the highest vaccination series completion rates.

Conclusions:

• A patient-centered, student-run clinic model can effectively increase SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rates among populations traditionally missed by large-scale campaigns.
• Addressing structural barriers such as language, technology, work flexibility, transportation, and misinformation is crucial for improving vaccine equity.
• Student-led initiatives can play a vital role in public health outreach and addressing health disparities.