EMU Today

YPSILANTI — The Eastern Michigan University Center for Health Disparities Innovations and Studies (CHDIS) is working with the state-wide Asian Community Toward Innovative Visionary Environment (ACTIVE) Coalition to offer mobile flu vaccination clinics for Asian and Arab Americans—two racial and ethnic groups who are also disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and at increased risk for serious illness from COVID-19 infection.

“Flu vaccinations are more important than ever before this year to minimize the transmission of influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tsu-Yin Wu, CHDIS Director. “We are increasing flu vaccine awareness, enhancing access to vaccinations, and improving connections between health care providers and underserved Asian and Arab American communities.”

The CHDIS Team is working to hold clinics where there is limited access to flu education and flu vaccination resources for Asian and Arabic Americans. Anyone who attends the clinics will be eligible to receive a vaccine. With funding from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), these clinics are provided at no-cost to the community. While no appointment is needed, registration before visiting the clinic is required in order to promote social distancing and decrease wait time for participants.

For clinic registration and additional information, contact Sarah Lally at sarstjoh@med.umich.edu or Meriam Caboral-Stevens at emu_chdis@emich.edu.

The mobile flu vaccination clinic locations and times of operation are below:

• Nov. 14, 9 am-12 pm: ACA Community Center, 32585 Concord Dr, Madison Heights, MI 48071
• Nov. 16, 1-4 pm: St. Magdalen Catholic Church, 1253 52nd St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
• Nov. 21, 10 am-2 pm: Wat Paknam Temple, 8500 Plumbrook Road, Sterling Heights, 48314
• Nov. 22, 12 pm-4 pm: Gates of Columbus, 9632 Conant St., Hamtramck 48212
• Nov. 30, 12 pm-4 pm: Hamtramck Community Center, 11350 Charest, Hamtramck 48212
• Dec. 2, 12 pm-4 pm: Hamtramck Community Center, 11350 Charest, Hamtramck 48212
• Dec. 3, 2 pm-4 pm: Detroit Friendship House, 9540 Conant St., Hamtramck 48212
• Dec. 5, 12 pm-4 pm: Gates of Columbus, 9632 Conant St., Hamtramck 48212
• Dec. 6, 10 am-3 pm: Wat Paknam Temple, 8500 Plumbrook Road, Sterling Heights, 48314
• Dec. 8, 2pm-4pm: Detroit Friendship House, 9540 Conant St., Hamtramck 48212

CHDIS faculty and staff are working with trained bilingual trusted messengers in educational outreach and coordinating flu vaccinations for Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Korean, Nepali, South Asian (Asian Indian, Pakistani), Thai, Vietnamese, and Yemeni populations in Michigan counties including Calhoun, Kent, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne. And, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CHDIS has developed and is disseminating community-based, culturally-appropriate messages.

Also working with CHDIS on the initiative is the Hamtramck Public Schools, Detroit Friendship House, Michigan Visiting Nurses Association, Kroger pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy, county-level public health departments, and students from EMU’s School of Nursing and the University of Michigan Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.

Other ACTIVE Coalition partners include the Association of Chinese Americans, Burma Center, West Michigan Asian American Association, Bangladeshi American Public Affairs Committee, J&E Community Relief, Community Welfare Services of Metro Detroit, and Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission.

To learn more about the Eastern Michigan University Center for Health Disparities Innovations and Studies, visit the website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.