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East Hartford Offers Additional COVID-19 Vaccination Events to Address Access and Equity

Posted on: May 11, 2021 - 9:43am
east hartford vaccination clinics

East Hartford, CT –The Town of East Hartford is partnering with First Choice Health Centers, Inc. to conduct pop-up vaccine events at several locations to address vaccine inequities and access barriers. COVID-19 vaccine clinics will be targeted in Census tracts that are high on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social vulnerability index. Several clinics will be offered during weekends and evenings with no appointment required to expand availability for East Hartford residents. Clinic hours and locations will be posted weekly on the Town of East Hartford COVID-19 webpage.

According to data from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT-DPH), 54.6 percent of East Harford age-eligible residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including 91 percent of residents 65 years and older.

“Although we have made great progress toward achieving a high vaccination rate, the Town of East Hartford is committed to fill the unmet need through targeted outreach to communities of color and our most vulnerable populations to ensure fair and equitable vaccine distribution,” said Mayor Marcia Leclerc.

The Town of East Hartford was awarded an equity grant from the Hartford Foundation for Giving along with federal funds through CT-DPH to enhance outreach, education, and increase access to COVID-19 vaccine services for minority and traditionally underserved communities.

In addition to our partnership with First Choice Health Centers to conduct mobile clinics, East Hartford will utilize funds to supplement clinic outreach and awareness, including canvassing and distributing vaccine event information in targeted neighborhoods, partnering with trusted messengers within our communities to promote the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination, and developing educational resources in English and Spanish to address vaccine hesitancy. The Town of East Hartford will also continue to vaccinate medically homebound residents.

“Our goal is to address financial, transportation, and information barriers so we can vaccinate everyone in East Hartford,” said Laurence Burnsed, Director of Health and Social Services. The week of May 10, the Town of East Hartford will be holding vaccination clinics on the following dates:

  • May 12, 2-7 pm, at 50 Chapman Place. Walk-ins accepted until 6 pm.
  • May 15, 10 am – 2 pm, at Accra Market, 168 Burnside Avenue.

It is important for every person to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves, their family members, and their community. For more information about upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics, please visit www.easthartfordct.gov/health-and-social-services or call the East Hartford Health Department at 860-291-7324. Additionally, upcoming vaccination clinic dates will be posted on the Town of East Hartford Facebook page.