Vaccinate Lompoc, Backpack Giveaway Aug. 6 at LVMC

Lompoc Valley Medical Center, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) and Healthy Lompoc Coalition, Santa Barbara County Promotores Network, Santa Maria- Lompoc NAACP, and the Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) are partnering to host a free Vaccinate Lompoc and backpack giveaway day on Friday, Aug. 6.

The event will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at LVMC: Hospital, 1515 E. Ocean Ave. Funding for the event is provided by Together Toward Health, a program of the Public Health Institute, through funding from a group of philanthropic organizations.

Anyone age 12 and older may attend and receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Children in grades kindergarten through 12^th grade attending the event are eligible to receive a free backpack or school bag, while supplies last. A vaccination is not required to receive a school bag, which were donated by local agencies and organizations, including the Santa Barbara chapter of the American Red Cross.

Transportation will be available through LUSD, please visit LompocVMC.com/Backpack for more information.

Lompoc Health pediatrician Dr. Mohammad Tabek Bakir will be onsite during the event to answer questions. Spanish interpretation will also be available.

LVMC officials said the hospital is honored to partner in this special event aimed largely at the 12-18-year-old population.

“With the rates of COVID-19 infections rapidly rising in our county, it is more vital than ever that as many people as possible get vaccinated,” said LVMC Chief Executive Officer Steve Popkin. “A vast majority of the new cases of COVID-19 infection are among those who are not vaccinated. This free event gives parents a chance to have their children ages 12 and older vaccinated, while also receiving school supplies for the coming school year.”

Attendees are asked to bring identification and insurance information if available. Minors will be required to have a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization Executive Director Ashley Costa indicated the Lompoc Valley has a vaccination rate of approximately 50 percent. She urges everyone who is eligible to get the vaccine and said she hopes the area can achieve an 80 percent vaccination rate by the end of the year.

“We are thankful to our funder, Together Toward Health, for providing resources to our community in the hope we can work together to increase our vaccination rate,” Costa said. “This event is an exciting opportunity to welcome children back to school, distribute free supplies and provide information from medical professionals about the vaccine.”

Pre-Event signups are encouraged at www.myturn.ca.gov. Walk-ins will be accommodated.

For anyone unable to attend the Aug. 6 event, appointments to receive the vaccine are available via www.myturn.ca.gov for other dates. LVMC is the only hospital in Santa Barbara County continuing to host public vaccination clinics.

For more information on the Vaccinate Lompoc event, see LompocVMC.com/Backpack