Maya McFadden Photo
During a time when vaccines are a national hot topic, a community-based initiativer eminded Fair Haveners of the importance of getting their flu shots.
Eleven Fair Haveners stopped by Yale’s community health care van Wednesday parked at the corner of Grand Avenue and Ferry Street to get their flu vaccinations to proactively protect the community and minimize the need for medical treatment during the Covid pandemic. The team on hand invited Fair Haveners coming from McDonalds, C‑Town, the bus stop, and other nearby locations to get their shots.
The Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE) launched the vaccine-education campaign — called Fight the Flu, New Haven! — with the New Haven Health Department, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, and Yale Medicine.
influenza data from Aug. 2019 to Sept. 2020.
Now is a peak time in the flu season. The initiative is letting residents know it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.
According to the state Department of Public Health, the state has a small number of laboratory confirmed influenza cases.
The team is working to bring the vaccine to the community during the pandemic with a particular target on Black and brown New Haveners who have been significantly affected by Covid or the flu in the past, said Sarah Gordon-Brilla.
The Fight the Flu! team spent Wednesday’s four hour pop-up providing residents with information about the flu vaccine.
Gordon-Brilla noted that the flu vaccine has been around for decades.
Fair Havener Terry McCarthy-Rosa stopped by the van in hopes of getting a Covid test. When McCarthy-Rosa learned the team was offering a flu vaccine, she decided to get it. “I don’t have symptoms of either of them, but there’s no shame in playing it safe,” she said. This was McCarthy-Rosa’s first flu vaccine in five years. she said.
Inside the van’s medical examination room.
The Fight the Flu, New Haven! initiative has three more events this week for National Influenza Vaccination Week.
New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond and Mayor Justin Elicker visited the van Wednesday to show their support.
DJ Herman Ham drew in visitors with his music tent set up in the parking lot.
The initiative is being funded by the Centers for federal Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CARE outreach intern Celina Fernández-Ayala was raised in Fair Haven and has seen linguistic and physical barriers for Fair Haveners looking for health care.
Celina Fernández-Ayala and Sarah Gordon-Brilla.
Fernández-Ayala recalled the history of forced sterilizations on Puerto Rican women in particular as among community-wide reasons for distrust in the medical field. “For good reasons, its hard for people of color to trust health care,” they said.
Fernández-Ayala pushed to bring the van to the “hub of activity” in Fair Haven.
Before Covid ‚the community health care van spent much time in Fair Haven providing free and confidential primary care, harm reduction, drug treatment, and mental health care services. Many residents recognized the van and stopped by for a needle exchange. Some needle exachange clients stopped for a flu shot while there. On Wednesday 4,000 needles were exchanged.
Due to the pandemic the community health care van has been remissioned care to newborns and mothers. Residents looking to get in contact with the needle exchange program can contact research assistant Rodolfo Lopez Jr. at (203) 823‑0743.
Getting the flu vaccine at the mobile clinic takes less than five minutes, said Lopez Jr.
Upcoming flu vaccine clinics for the initiativee:
• Dec. 11 from 8:30 a.m to 12 p.m at Betsy Ross School (150 Kimberly Ave)
• Dec. 11 from 8:30 a.m to 12 p.m. at Valley Street Housing Community (98/100 Ramsdell St)
• Dec. 18 from 8:30 a.m to 12 p.m at Betsy Ross School (150 Kimberly Ave)
Health insurance or an ID are not required, and walk ups are welcomed.