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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Chief Executive Officer of Centro San Vicente (CSV) Dr. Christina Paz announced that CSV has been selected for the second phase of the Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHCs) program for COVID-19 vaccination.

The FQHCs program, announced by President Joe Biden on February 9, 2021, will directly allocate COVID-19 vaccines to Centro San Vicente and other select HRSA-funded health centers across the United States to ensure our nation's underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by coronavirus are equitably vaccinated. The FQHCs program is managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Our community knows and trusts Centro San Vicente for their unwavering commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare services and I am committed to ensuring they are part of the effort to get vaccines in El Pasoan’s arms – especially the most vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “I will continue working with the Biden administration and local leaders to protect lives and ensure the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and other critical resources in El Paso.”

“Centro San Vicente is honored to have been chosen to pilot a vaccination program geared for Community Health Care Centers. Centro San Vicente is eternally grateful to Congresswoman Escobar and all those who advocated and fought for this vaccination program,” said Dr. Paz. “I am personally enamored that Congresswoman Escobar and Congressional Leaders like her know the impact Community Health Centers play across our nation. Community Health Care Centers like Centro San Vicente are the core of healthcare in most communities, caring for large numbers of patients. This initiative will allow us to vaccinate active registered patients, reaching those that are otherwise marginalized, hard to reach, and most vulnerable. This opportunity will further assist with combating COVID-19, thus saving lives.”

Centro San Vicente will receive 1,000 doses weekly to distribute among their 14,309 total registered patients following the strict allocation principles of HRSA and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) phases 1A and 1B.

Founded in 1988, Centro San Vicente provides social services and quality, compassionate, and accessible healthcare to El Paso’s most underserved while in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and cultural sensitivity. For more information about their services, click here.