Hospitality Vaccination Pop-Ups in Philadelphia

The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA), together with Garces Foundation, Jefferson Health,  Penn Medicine, Puentes de Salud, and Temple Health, has launched an aggressive 100-percent vaccine initiative for hospitality employees, their families, and community members with pop-ups across Philadelphia. The campaign dubbed ‘Vaccinations for All’ is a call-to-action for hospitality industry workers and owners to hit the 70-percent vaccination rate goal. This initiative is funded through the William Penn Foundation.

Colorful signs with the rallying call of "Vaccinations for All" with practical information of date, time, and place of the clinic along with Q & A posters that resemble text messaging conversation will be shared with BIDs in Northeast, South, and West Philly neighborhoods. The "Vaccination for All" campaign mimics one-on-one conversation. Based on multiple national studies and feedback from healthcare partners, vaccine-hesitant people are more likely to decide after an informed discussion. A social media and paid advertising campaign will support the grassroots efforts. 

Pop-up vaccination clinics will offer flexible morning, evening, and weekend hours at no cost for those 12 and up. In addition, incentives like free cheesesteaks, ice cream, travel gift cards, and craft beer are available to encourage participation.  Penn Medicine will arrange for clinics virtually anywhere needed within the city, with a primary concentration in West, Center, and South Philly. Alternatively, Temple Health will provide clinics in North and Northeast Philly (from Girard to Cottman Avenue). Healthcare and hospitality industry partners will provide the positive environment needed to encourage vaccine-hesitant individuals to participate. No registration or reservations required. 

"We cannot stress the importance of vaccinating hospitality employees and their families. Our industry, healthcare, and community partners are providing an exceptional level of support," said Ben Fillecia, Director of Operations and Strategy Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association. "Our industry has been suffering long enough, and the faster we all become vaccinated, the better off we all are in the long run for its future."

Upcoming pop-up clinics include:

Saturday, June 26, 2021

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Northern Liberties Pop-up Clinic at 167 West Laurel Street. Health services provided by Jefferson Health. Each participant will receive $20 gift card.

Saturday, July 10, 2021

• Mayfair Pop-up Clinic at Cottman and Frankford Avenues. Health services are provided by Temple Health. Participants will be offered $25 gift cards to local restaurants. 
• East Passyunk Pop-up Clinic at Garage Passyunk at 1231 East Passyunk Ave. Health services are provided by Penn Medicine. 

"We are continuing to see the devasting impact of COVID on the Latinx community and are happy to be part of a solution to bring vaccination equality to South Philly neighborhoods," explains Jillian Gierke, Director of Programs of Garces Foundation.

“Collaborations and creativity are important to increase vaccination rates and to continue bringing COVID vaccines into communities that need greater access,” said Heather Klusaritz, Director of Community Health Services for the Penn Medicine Center for Health Equity Advancement.

"Partnerships like the pop-up vaccine clinics with PRLA are at the core of our mission to provide high-quality healthcare to Philadelphia's rapidly growing Latinx communities," says Steven Larson of Puentes de Salud.

“Temple Health is honored to partner with PRLA to further our mission of reaching communities to provide equal access to COVID vaccines for all,” says Steven R. Carson, MHA, BSN, RN, Senior Vice President of Population Health for Temple Health.