JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and Agape Family Health launched "Wellness on Wheels," a mobile vaccination service to bring the COVID-19 directly to seniors and at-risk citizens throughout Jacksonville.
Wellness on Wheels will tour the City of Jacksonville through at least June, targeting areas where there are gaps in health equity. Vaccinations will be distributed by Agape healthcare professionals and in accordance with local and state rules, and only to eligible populations.
"The 'Wellness on Wheels' initiative brings health and wellness to the doorstep of the community," said Mia L. Jones, Agape Family Health Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud to partner with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to provide accessibility to COVID-19 response services."
The JTA retrofitted two buses to assist Agape Family Health with the initiative.
"The JTA is committed to helping as many of our citizens access the COVID-19 vaccine as possible, and that includes those who have no way to get to a vaccination site," said JTA Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.
JTA Board Chair Ari Jolly joined Ford, Jones, and Deputy Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie for a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRCT). Following the ribbon cutting, the Wellness on Wheels tour began with service to the Centennial Towers in Downtown Jacksonville. The tour will continue at various locations throughout the community. Schedule and locations are available at agapecovidhealth.com
Additional senior center stops will be scheduled by Agape Family Health, with the goal of vaccinating approximately 500 residents each week.
The JTA continues to help the Jacksonville community with free transportation to eligible populations to COVID-19 vaccination sites through its Ride to Health program.