Protecting Our Community with Immunizations
Did you know that only 200 years ago, the average US lifespan was about 35 years? Vaccines played a large role in more than doubling our life expectancy and helping us lead healthy and long lives today. The CNS Immunization Program has been integral in keeping our community safe and thriving since the program’s inception in 1992. We are proud to offer this important facet of healthcare and longevity for Utahns and to be Utah’s largest provider of on-site flu and vaccination clinics.
As the program has grown, CNS has adjusted to fit the needs of our community. The program initially focused on delivering the influenza vaccine, but now includes all currently recommended adult and childhood immunizations, providing convenient vaccine access regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In fact, in 2021 CNS provided $165,779 worth of vaccines to more than 4,000 individuals in need through its Charitable Care Program.
Delivering Award-Winning Service
The CNS Immunization Program’s year-round efforts improve the overall health of individuals in Utah through immunization clinics at worksites, schools, and other events. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently recognized CNS for its excellence for our 2021 vaccination efforts in long-term care facility communities, schools, and for homebound residents. CNS also received Utah’s 2021 Silver Syringe award by the Utah Department of Health for the third consecutive year. This award recognizes individuals and clinics that have taken extra efforts to increase immunization awareness, improve immunization rates, and provide services or activities to help promote immunizations in Utah.
Meeting People Where They Are
Getting out into the community is the foundation of CNS’s success in making immunizations accessible for all. In 2021, the CNS Immunization Program provided 3,136 individual on-site clinics for vaccine distribution. These included schools, businesses, refugee centers, places of worship, parking lots, senior centers, long-term care facilities, personal homes, community centers, neighborhood centers, college campuses, program walk-in offices, and more. Once you start asking around, you’ll find that CNS has provided vaccines to many of your friends, family members, and neighbors.
See what some of our community partners shared about the convenience and necessity of our on-site clinics:
“CNS is a wonderful organization that works tirelessly to meet families where they are–literally and figuratively. Immunization and flu clinics at our school are easy for our families to attend and break transportation barriers that exist for many of our families. Attending school-based clinics saves our families’ time since they don’t need to take off work to get their vaccines.”
—Shelley McCall, Community Facilitator at East Midvale Elementary School
“The partnership that we have with CNS through the United Way has been so important for our school community. Families are busy and have a lot on their plates. Making healthcare, including immunizations, more accessible is one way that we can support families and keep kids healthy and in school.”
—Heidi Sanger, Community Facilitator at Midvale Elementary School
Providing Affordable Care
Another vital factor for the success of the CNS Immunization Program is providing services to all who need them, regardless of their ability to pay. This not only helps keep our community physically healthy, but it also helps keep it socially and financially healthy by assisting families on their way to access school and jobs.
For example, last year a single mother and her five children visited the CNS Immunization Clinic located in West Valley City. She had recently immigrated to the United States and needed vaccines before her children could be enrolled in school. They didn’t have insurance or the ability to pay for the vaccines and the CNS Charitable Immunization Program made it possible for our team to fully vaccinate each child and the mother so she could access employment.
Here's a small sample of some of the feedback we received from our community partners about CNS’s charitable approach:
“CNS provides much needed access to vaccination clinics for our students and families. Whether it is because families do not have insurance or access to health centers, many of them rely on the services that CNS brings to our school.”
—Jessica Olmos, Community Facilitator at Midvale Middle School
“CNS has worked with us this year to help provide overdue vaccinations to our students along with COVID-19 vaccinations. Without this service, many of our students would have eventually been dropped for not complying with immunization guidelines. Having CNS come to the school to provide this no cost service helped our families overcome transportation and time obstacles. The ability to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations helped us keep our numbers down and keep students in school learning.”
—Sharla Bynum, Assistant Principal at Granite Park Junior High
Receiving Care from Dedicated Providers
Lastly, the success of the CNS Immunization Program is due to our approximately 450 dedicated staff members who serve throughout Utah. It’s led by program director, Cory Fowlks, who works closely with three area managers: Elizabeth Diamond, who oversees operations; Natalie Diamond, who manages the clinics; and Yvette Tani, who oversees scheduling. CNS also has area leads and vital organizational staff who keep things running smoothly.
Additionally, CNS is fortunate to have over 40 core nurse and clerical staff who commit their availability and skill set to help cover annually revolving clinic work. This is in addition to the more than 400 seasonal nurse and clerical staff that help CNS provide unmatched services during the fall and winter seasons.
The CNS Immunization Program commits to its positive impact on the community by providing accessible and affordable immunizations from our stellar team.
2021 Immunization Service Snapshot
· Nearly 200,000 vaccines administered
· 3,136 individual on-site immunization clinics offered
· Patients accommodated seven days a week including early and late-night clinic hours
· 450 CNS staff contributed to the program’s efforts throughout Utah
2021 Award-Winning Immunization Program
· Bronze Band-Aid Certificate of Appreciation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
· Silver Syringe Award
Utah Department of Health
To learn more about the CNS Immunization Program or to schedule a clinic, please call 801-207-8777 or visit us online at https://www.cns-cares.org/immunizations-flu-shots.
To help others access vaccines, please consider making a gift to the CNS Charitable Immunization Program at cns-cares.org/donate.
