AARP Awards the Muscogee Nation Department of Health a COVID-19 Response Grant

Okmulgee, Ok. | June 29, 2021 – The Muscogee Nation and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are teaming up on COVID-19 vaccine delivery efforts.

In May, the Muscogee Nation was awarded a $5000 grant from AARP to support vaccine events in the 26 rural communities within the Muscogee Nation Reservation. These funds will be used for fuel and supplies for the Nation’s mobile clinics.

The mobile units, retrofitted with refrigeration, have been used to deliver lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines to numerous communities within the Reservation since March. The Nation has partnered with a number of churches and school districts to ensure the vaccine is accessible to both Natives and non-Natives.

“We appreciate the initiative AARP is taking to assist with vaccine efforts in the rural areas of Oklahoma,” said Rhonda Beaver, Chief Administrative Officer, Muscogee Nation Department of Health. “A lack of transportation can sometimes be an impediment to access, but by taking our mobile vaccine units into the communities we are helping to remove this barrier,” said Beaver “These funds will assist with fuel and operational costs associated with the use of our mobile vaccination units.”

“Transportation is crucial to connecting citizens with access to medical care, especially those who live in rural or underserved areas,” said AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl. “The Muscogee Nation Department of Health mobile vaccine program is an innovative approach to ensuring local citizens have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. AARP’s priority is to help remove the barrier of transportation needs and access, particularly for our rural and homebound residents where vaccines are not readily available. We cannot forget the people that need our help the most.”

For more information on the Muscogee Nation’s COVID-19 response or to find out where you can receive a vaccine, please visit www.creekhealth.org/covid

Headquartered in Okmulgee Okla., the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is the fourth largest federally recognized tribe in the United States with more than 90,000 citizens.  The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health operates community hospitals, a long-term acute care facility and physical rehabilitation center serving both tribal citizens and the general public.  To ensure healthy generations of Native people, MCN also operates Indian health clinics and provides dedicated services for citizens of federally recognized tribes.