SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, Calif. — With certain vaccination rates still low throughout Los Angeles County, the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians is stepping in to vaccinate its tribe and their surrounding communities by teaming with the Medi-Vaxx Program that offers mobile vaccines.
One grateful recipient is Alonso Almeida. The love he feels for his life partner, Maryland, is one many can only hope to experience in their lifetime. Almeida hasn't left her side for more than 30 years — even when Maryland could no longer recognize who he was.
Maryland was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia several years back, losing all memory and eventually, most body functions. While Almeida says he knows it’s coming, it’s hard for him to imagine a life without her.
"It’s difficult, but it also gives me a purpose to make it comfortable [for her], so from the perspective, it has been very positive for me," he said.
Almeida has been able to arrange everything Maryland needs to come to their house, from the dentist to medical tests and all things in between. She has live-in caretakers who also offer the emotional support that Almeida says is just as crucial as the physical. But the one thing they haven’t been able to get for Maryland is a COVID-19 vaccine.
"I have called mobile doctors that we have worked with and they have indicated. 'Sorry but we are not authorized to provide a COVID-19 vaccine. We don’t have the protocols for storing the vaccine,'" Almeida said.
It’s an issue of access many people in the San Fernando Valley have been faced with, which is why the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians launched the partnership with Medi-vaxx, First Med Ambulance and Mission Community Hospital to deliver vaccines on wheels.
When Tribal President Rudy Ortega realized that continuously low vaccination rates among certain communities, including his Indigenous Peoples, he knew he had to get involved — not just for his tribe, but for all of their neighbors in the Valley.
"So now, what brings us to this point of mobile vaccine, you know, getting out to the community, education, awareness. There’s still fear about the vaccine," Ortega said.
For those members still hesitant about the vaccine, Ortega appointed trusted leaders of the tribe to answer questions at several pop-up vaccine clinics.
For neighbors like Almeida and Maryland, with disabilities and transportation challenges, this shot puts the "special" in delivery. Almeida says he is grateful to the Tribe and the Medi-Vaxx Program for giving him the means to protect the love of his life.
"From my perspective it is painful, understanding that we are reaching...she is 78, I am 79...so we’re reaching our end, and it's nice to do something that you’re proud of," he said.
Any Los Angeles County resident with high risk, transportation challenges can sign up for a vaccine without being a member of the tribe. To reserve a spot, call the Tribal Office at 818-837-0794.
The Tribe's next pop-up clinic is Tuesday at Plaza Del Valle, 8610 Van Nuys Blvd from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information about further clinics, click here.