March 16, 2021 - Over the past year, the aviation industry has taken steps to enhance cleaning practices and evolve safety protocols to safeguard customers throughout their travels. As an additional measure to improve safety and restore confidence, beginning March 17 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), airline employees and other transportation workers will take part in a mass vaccination event specifically tailored for their ease of access. Atrium Health is staging the two-day clinic, in partnership with the State of North Carolina, the City of Charlotte, Charlotte Douglas International Airport and American Airlines. The COVID-19 vaccination clinic is by appointment only. All appointments have been filled.
“Our airport is a gateway to the world – not just for Charlotte, but for people from all across North America,” said Dr. Scott Rissmiller, executive vice president and chief physician executive for Atrium Health. “The men and women working there continue to work extra hard to keep us safe and healthy. They exemplify the essential, front line worker. It is exciting to know that we can upgrade them to first class, so to speak, with the protection the COVID-19 vaccine offers.”
“This event demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships, particularly in challenging times like we are all experiencing,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “I’m grateful to Atrium Health, American Airlines, our airport partners, the City team and particularly the Aviation team, for their diligent work to provide this opportunity for those who work at the airport, City teammates and the west side of Charlotte. Our community is making great progress on vaccinations and we’ve got to keep that momentum going. I encourage everyone to get their vaccination.”
“American Airlines is proud to partner with Atrium Health, the CLT Airport and local officials to make the COVID-19 vaccine accessible for our team members who have been working diligently through the pandemic to keep the U.S. economy moving,” said David Seymour, chief operating officer for American Airlines. “When combined with our comprehensive clean commitment, efforts like this help ensure our team’s well-being while providing more customers the confidence to travel.”
Atrium Health plans to administer more than 4,600 first dose vaccinations at the airport event, with recipients scheduled to come back for the required second dose in three weeks. The clinic is will provide vaccinations between 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day.
Rissmiller noted this event is yet another public-private partnership success story for the health system. Earlier this year, it announced a goal of providing 1 million doses of vaccine by the Fourth of July, in partnership with Honeywell, Tepper Sports & Entertainment and Charlotte Motor Speedway. To date, more than 250,000 of those shots have been administered.
Reposted with permission of Atrium Health.