Guatemalan migrants in Omaha offered vaccinations

May 14, 2021, Omaha, Neb. -- An effort is underway to get COVID-19 vaccinations into the arms of the people who are underserved in Omaha. The migrant community in town who may not have information in their local language, is critical to reach out to in order for all people to be safer, sooner.

112 people we vaccinated Sunday, May 23 at Guadalupe Hall at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and 56 people were vaccinated at St. Francis of Assisi Church the week before.“Having more of our migrant community vaccinated would mean that our entire community is safe and healthy,” said Charlie Petro, Executive Director of Ixim. “It’s great for people with easy access to get a shot and go back out to restaurants and normal life, but that’s not everyone. Vaccinating everyone means that we can all get back out in a safe and healthy way.”

Ixim: Spirit of Solidarity is an archdiocesan ministry cultivating relationships of friendship, faith, and solidarity between the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Diocese of Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

In partnership with OneWorld Community Health Center, Ixim offered the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination clinics in South Omaha to help get the shot into the arms of people who may otherwise have difficulty signing up for an appointment through a government or pharmacy online portal.

“Why go out of our way to reach out to migrants about the vaccination? Because many people do not have the English-language skills or the access to technology in order to learn about vaccinations and make an appointment,” said Mary Kay Meagher, a nurse and Notre Dame Sister who has volunteered with Ixim since 2003. “Everyone is as worthy of this life-saving vaccine as anyone else is.”