May 3, 2023, Rochester, N.Y. – On Wednesday, Jordan Health along with several other community and health organizations announced their latest efforts to increase awareness regarding the impact and importance of the COVID vaccine and boosters. Nearly three years since the start of the pandemic, new cases of COVID or COVID-related deaths are still being reported every week throughout the Greater Rochester area including Monroe County. The COVID vaccine and boosters have proven to provide the needed protections against the virus and minimize the impact of symptoms. However, there is still a significant amount of people who are either hesitant to get vaccinated or receive their COVID booster.
Now, organizations like Jordan Health, Rochester Regional Health System and Mosaic Health, The City of Rochester, Urban League of Rochester, Trillium Health, Action for a Better Community, IBERO, Regional Health Reach and Common Ground Health have partnered thanks to the support of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to hear from the community and provide additional education about the COVID vaccine and boosters.
The health and community partners will hold a series of Community Group Discussions throughout the month of May. They are looking to hear from the community about vaccine and booster uncertainty, how information about COVID is shared, and what are the barriers preventing community members from getting vaccinated and boosted. The organizations plan to use the information from the Community Group Discussions to provide additional information and educational materials and plan any needed interventions.
“Jordan Health is eager to participate with other organizations which are aligned in helping improve health and the quality of information and care for all,” said Dr. Linda Clark, Chief Medical Officer at Jordan Health. “We understand there is COVID fatigue but COVID is not going anywhere and it’s important for our community to come together and unite to ensure everyone is provided with accurate information to make an informed decision about how best to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our overall community.”
In addition to Community Group Discussions, the community and health groups are also offering COVID vaccine and booster clinics as well as outreach opportunities.
“Trillium Health is proud to partner with like-minded organizations to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19,” said Andrea DeMeo, President and CEO of Trillium Health. “In Monroe County, we’ve made great strides in the community vaccination rate, but we still have a long way to go before everyone is fully vaccinated. At Trillium Health, we offer stigma-free and judgment-free care for all. Free vaccines are available at both of our pharmacies and on our mobile access clinic.”
Everyone who registers and takes part in the Community Group Discussions throughout the month of May will receive a $25 gift card for sharing their thoughts.
For more information on how to register and take part, you can call (347) 628-6013
or visit https://tinyurl.com/RocCOVIDAnswers
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Media Contact:
Juanita Washington
(585) 623-0210
jwashington@jordanhealth.org