The article by Genine Babakian discusses the challenges of COVID-19 vaccination efforts in communities of color in New York City, particularly among Black and Brown residents. Despite the widespread availability of vaccines, hesitancy remains a significant issue. To address this, Community Healthcare Network (CHN) and Stop the Spread partnered with predominantly Black and brown churches across the city to set up vaccine clinics inside these trusted institutions.
The article highlights that, nationally, vaccination rates varied among racial and ethnic groups, with Black and Hispanic communities facing higher hesitancy rates. It emphasizes the role of trusted community institutions, like churches, in driving vaccine adoption. Beyond vaccines, these churches offered other services, including mental health support, to address the broader needs of their communities.
Image: Krystal Smith registers a community member for the COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site at The Church of God of East New York. Image courtesy of Stop the Spread.