NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A push to get people vaccinated in one New Haven community as part of a campaign called “Vaccinate Fair Haven!”
The door-to-door effort went around the neighborhood to offer COVID vaccination appointments for everyone in the community. The disparity shines a brighter light on the Elm City because the population is generally younger than other cities and towns.
About 200 volunteers, including New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and elected officials, knocked on over 5,000 doors Saturday.
“This kind of outreach is exactly what every community in the whole country needs to do,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.
“Stuff like this helps us get out the word about the vaccines, build trust in the vaccines and make sure that we keep people safe,” Mayor Elicker said.
The event is modeled after the door-to-door “get out the Vote” campaigns seen in the lead-up to last fall’s election.
Community-based organizations are also arranging free transportation to the vaccination site for those 55 and up. And for people who are homebound, clinic doctors will go to their homes to administer the shot.
It was stressful and it was challenging, but this is a labor of love. This is my community and I am determined to make sure that our community gets vaccinated,” said Kica Matos, Community Organizer and Advocate Fair Haven Resident.
More than 17,000 people live in the Fair Haven neighborhood. Fair Haven has been one of the hardest-hit communities in the Elm City during the pandemic.
