Stamford Health has received a grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation to fund the expansion of its “No Barriers” Vaccination Equity Program, which began in mid-January.
Stamford Health partnered with the city of Stamford and local community organizations to launch the program, which reserves dedicated Covid-19 vaccination blocks for socially vulnerable groups.
“This grant will allow us to continue the important work of growing vaccination efforts in our community with a focus on equitable distribution,” Stamford Health President and CEO Kathleen Silard said.
The new expansion of “No Barriers” will focus on a door-to-door approach to increase vaccination efforts and reduce vaccine hesitancy in the communities hit hardest by the coronavirus.
The goal of the in-person approach is to dispel misinformation, further educate the community about the benefits of vaccination, and connect people to a vaccine clinic.
Those efforts are anticipated to begin as early as this week.
Stamford Health”™s vaccination efforts have been increasing rapidly with the recent vaccine super site opening in Stamford”™s Harbor Point area. To date, Stamford Health has administered over 117,000 vaccinations to the community with an additional 15,000-plus appointments scheduled in the weeks ahead.
According to the state Department of Public Health, 1.9 million residents have received a first dose of a vaccination, and nearly 1.4 million have been fully vaccinated. Connecticut is the first state in the country to fully vaccinate over 50% of its adults over the age of 18; approximately 69% of that cohort have received at least one dose.
All Connecticut residents over the age of 16 are currently eligible to receive the vaccines. To locate a vaccination clinic, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.
