Since the start of the pandemic, Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC)—the philanthropic arm of the California Medical Association (CMA)—has worked closely with the state of California to bring much-needed resources to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments in marginalized communities and high-priority health equity areas throughout California.

With the conclusion of the public health emergency, PHC has wrapped up the final cycle of its COVID-19 vaccine grant programs. In partnership with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), PHC’s vaccine grant programs supported providers who committed to expand their operating hours, make vaccinations accessible for working families, and provide continuity of care to patients by ensuring historical immunization data is current and accessible to all providers.

PHC’s inaugural CalVaxGrant program launched July 2021, followed by four successive grant cycles. By the end of the fifth grant cycle in April 2023, PHC had supported a total of 3,426 organizations representing 4,506 vaccination sites.

Of the 4,506 vaccination sites awarded, 2,656 (62%) had sites in health equity areas that match CDPH’s high-priority zip codes. Overall, the program funded $59.3 million to lead efforts to increase the accessibility of vaccines in marginalized communities who are at greater risk for getting COVID-19 and becoming severely ill.

For more information, visit calvaxgrant.org.