An Army of Hope: The Highlands- Cashiers Plateau COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative

Issue: Whats News

If you’ve been waiting for your chance to be vaccinated for Covid-19, a group called The Highlands- Cashiers Plateau COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative is working with State and Federal agencies to make it a reality..

HCPCVI was started in early January by a group of community organization leaders (Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, Rotary Club of Highlands and the Town of Highlands) who came together to explore ways to support and assist our Macon and Jackson County Health Departments to administer the vaccine in the remote communities on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.   

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal voluntarily stepped forward to offer his experience and expertise in administering vaccine clinics.  Research and brainstorming ensued and soon a “How Can I Help?” surge of volunteers emerged, including medical professionals, technology experts and community-minded people eager to help.

 In a couple weeks on Jan 20 (430 were vaccinated) and Jan 24 (487 were vaccinated) for total of 917 people vaccinated during two clinic events at the Highlands Recreation Center. 

Macon and Jackson County Health Departments

This could not have happened without authorization, involvement and support from our Macon County and Jackson County Health Departments. 

Current Activities

Today, the remarkable groundswell of dedicated volunteers is growing.  The HCPCVI initiative has evolved into partnerships with a growing number of organizations and hundreds of volunteers. 

HCPCVI has joined with the 18-county WNC Vaccine Acceleration Consortium led by the Dogwood Health Trust, Wasting no time and with the support of Macon and Jackson County Health Departments, HCPVI submitted an application noting that the Plateau had proven  it had the capacity to stage large events and vaccinate a big number of people in a short time, with 900 people on the Wait List and plans to reach overlooked populations. 

The NC Department of Health and Human Services approved the application, and allocated 1000 doses.  Plans were immediately activated to provide a third vaccine clinic at the Highlands Recreation Center, on February 13, and a fourth clinic at The Farm at Old Edwards on February 14, in collaboration with the International Friendship Center, Vecinos Farmworker Health Program and the Community Care Clinic. 

What’s more, HCPVCI is partnering with Macon County and Glenville Cashiers EMS to vaccinate homebound folks in their homes.     

Two second-dose clinics were held February 14 and 17.

As with most Plateau community efforts, this project is fueled by volunteers. 

 Jerry Moore and Mike Murphy had the technology know-how to set up the scheduling process in cooperation with the Macon County Health Department.

The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation office is the hub for organizing on-site clinic volunteers.  From screeners, registrars, and triage, to vaccinators, pharmacists and traffic control, each volunteer has a specific assignment and is checked for medical certifications and training.   

The volunteer call center, (828) 526-1310, led by Robin Austin has emerged as the focal point for information. A Spanish speaking call center for questions and registration assistance is available at (828) 526-1353.  Everyone is pre-registered with CVMS and scheduled to get their shot at a specific time.   

Currently Groups 1 and 2 are being vaccinated and no walk-ins can be accepted. 

Outreach on-site registration assistance is provided at food banks, churches and businesses to get anyone who wants a vaccine registered.  

Driven by a spirit to serve, the HCPVI plans to keep going as long as we can get vaccine allocations.  Additional events will be scheduled as soon as more vaccines are available.