Vaccination clinics being held in communities that are often overlooked – The Denver Channel

Safety looks different for everyone. And in communities of color, theres often a mistrust of the health care system.

We dont really trust. Weve been used as guinea pigs for a really long time, Rose Marie Allen said.

With so much concern about COVID-19, theres now a stronger effort to make sure everyone has equal access to vaccinations, especially in predominantly Black neighborhoods.

To have this in Five Points, where a lot of the African American community is, is huge, Jessica Newsome said.

This vaccination event is part of the Colorado Vaccine Equity Task Force, which exists to ensure all groups are informed about their options and have the opportunity to get vaccination shots for free.

This is what success looks like, said Maisha Fields, Advisor to Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

Fields is also a registered nurse and says getting people of color vaccinated is all about location and trust.

If were going to be intentional about making sure that everyone has equal access to the vaccine, were going to have to go to those communities and were going to have to go to places that are trusted in those communities to make sure that they are vaccinated, she said.

Places like Brother Jeffs Cultural Center.

This is about, if you want the vaccine, you should have access to it, JeFF Fard said.

Fard runs the center and says hes allowing it to be used as a vaccination site so citizens who are often overlooked or underserved have access.

You see the demand. You see folks taking advantage of the opportunity and it makes all the difference in the world, he said. And a matter of fact, it could mean the difference between life and death.

There are statistics that show African Americans are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19, so vaccination clinics held at places like cultural centers could save even more lives.

Many of the people who showed up at Brother Jeffs Cultural Center say theyre much more comfortable getting vaccinated by someone who looks like them.

They appointed me to a Black nurse, and I felt comfortable immediately because I know that she understands me and my body, Allen said. And more than anything she understood my fears.

Fears that could be eased, one shot at a time.

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Vaccination clinics being held in communities that are often overlooked - The Denver Channel