Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC hosts COVID-19 vaccine clinic at its Southeast Campus Oct. 13

Photos and story by Amy Corliss

Portland Community College is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 3-7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13 at the Mt. Tabor Hall Building, Southeast Campus.

In partnership with Multnomah County’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) and Oregon Health and Science University, the clinic will provide the Pfizer vaccine (first or second dose) to everyone 12 years of age or older. Bilingual staff will be onsite to assist with Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish, and interpretive services will be available for other languages. The vaccine is free, and no proof of insurance, identification or appointments are required.

Those receiving their first vaccine will get a $100 Visa gift card and a $50 gift card will be provided for their second dose. Vaccinated community members who bring friends and family to get vaccinated will receive a $50 gift card as well. Food boxes will also be provided.

“We are fortunate to have amazing community partners in this effort,” said PCC’s Chief Diversity Officer Tricia Brand. “Our community partnerships are the key to our ability to serve our students and their families. Whatever role we can play to provide assistance and support to community-led vaccine efforts, we are pleased to do so.”

As of Sept. 16, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data shows that 81.3% of COVID-19 cases reported in the month of September occurred in people who were unvaccinated, and only 4.7% of all breakthrough cases have required hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, vaccination is the most effective way to prevent severe disease and death after exposure to the coronavirus. In addition, it reduces the spread of the disease to those who are not able, or not yet eligible, to be vaccinated.

Representatives from the Oregon Chinese Coalition will be onsite, staffing a rental assistance and resource booth to help Multnomah County residents apply for resources. Forms will be available in Chinese, Vietnamese and English. REACH will provide additional services and educational materials in multiple languages to help answer questions community members may have about COVID-19.

For more details on PCC’s vaccine clinics, visit https://www.pcc.edu/coronavirus/vaccine-clinics-at-pcc/