Courtney Luciana Photo
Lois Ricketts get her booster.
Lois Ricketts just had to cross the street from her home across from the train station to receive her Covid-19 booster shot Monday morning.
Ricketts was among 13 people who made it over to Union Station Monday morning to make use of the pop-up clinic that has opened up there.
The site offers a choice of which brand of booster to take; Ricketts chose Pfizer.
She said she hopes her shot inspires other people in her community to get their vaccinations and boosters.
“Covid is serious. It’s killing people. And we need to be more mindful of people’s well-being and their mortality,” Ricketts said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s all.”
Griffin Hospital has been running the vaccination clinic on the second floor at Union Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Griffin CEO Patrick Charmel said that the idea is to meet people right where they are. Charmel said vaccination sites at transportation sites like the train station and airports are becoming a big hit.
“Maybe three or four weeks ago, the numbers of Covid were lighter, but now people are becoming more motivated to get their shot as they see the infection rate go up,” Charmel said. “Over the last two weeks, there’s been an 80 percent increase in hospitalizations. That’s not because of Omicron. That’s because of the Delta variant that’s still with us.”
Charmel said that 91 percent of hospital beds in New Haven County are full today. That means there are only 200 beds left to be filled.
“We need folks to go out and protect themselves by getting vaccinated and their booster shots,” Charmel said. “When they do so, they’re not only protecting themselves and the community, but also preserving our capacity to take care of sick people.
David Reyes gets his booster.
David Reyes, the state public health department’s outreach director, said that the average number of daily boosters at this site has been 20 people.
Reyes, a former Hill alder and a lifelong New Havener, said he has more of an understanding of what’s holding back some people from receiving their dose
“Blacks and Hispanics, they’re not coming out. Those are my people that need to get educated and tackle this hesitancy. People are scared,” Reyes said. “We can’t ignore history right? We need to do better in educating our folks that this is OK, it’s safe, and you’re not only saving your life — but your family and friends’ lives too.”
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said that the clinic being located at Union Station isn’t just a matter of safety but a matter of equity.
“At walk-in clinics, you don’t need any documentation. You don’t need insurance. Vaccinations are free,” Bysiewicz said. “Our message today is to keep your family and friends safe. Keep our essential workers safe. Stop the Covid variants by getting everyone vaccinated and boosted.”
Joel Ettinger, who came from Orange.
One client, Joel Ettinger, said other factors like availability played a huge role in deciding where to get the booster shot. Ettinger drove to the station from Orange because his local pharmacies were either out of stock or didn’t have the personnel to administer shots.
He found the station’s mobile clinic online.
“It’s so upsetting” that some people aren’t getting vaccinated, Ettinger said. “It’s not really like it’s that much of a request. We’ve had vaccinations for less lethal things. Especially, when we were kids, we had a bunch of vaccinations. I just view this as the same thing. Why wouldn’t I want to be protected against what is fair to say is a modern-day plague?”
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and state and city officials held a press conference at Union Station Monday to spread the word about the vax pop-ups.
Mayor Justin Elicker announced 63.24 percent of New Haveners over 5 years old have been fully vaccinated.
“We still have a lot more work to do,” Elicker said. “Especially with Omicron and the increase across the state and region, please get vaccinated and get your boosters. That’s what today is about.”
The Union Station clinic is set to operate until Dec. 29.
Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani noted that 70 to 80 percent of people hospitalized statewide are unvaccinated.
“If you’re on the fence about it, this is your moment to protect yourselves and family,” Juthani said. “The immunity that you get from a booster starts immediately.
Juthani said there’s still a lot to learn about Omicron. She said so far, it has been a mild disease .
“That is welcomed news,” Juthani said. “If we convert this disease into something where you cuddle up in a blanket, if you’re vaccinated, and stay home for a few days then get better — that is a success of the vaccines that kept you out of the hospital and kept you alive.”