Advocates Help Seniors Cross Digital Divide to Access Vaccine
NY 1
This community space at the Soundview Houses transformed into a pop-up vaccination hub, bringing sought after doses to public housing tenants, in particular older New Yorkers.
-
Advocacy groups like Bronx Rising Initiative are helping to connect seniors to vaccines through pop-up hubs and home service
-
The city has expanded walk-in service for the elderly across the city with 26 sites where seniors and a companion can get vaccinated without an appointment
-
According to the NYC Department of the Aging “more than 750,000 older adults over 65 have been vaccinated with at least one dose”
“The digital divide has been a huge issue in the Bronx,” said Tomas Ramos. “A lot of our elders don’t know how to navigate the internet, don’t have access to the internet, so it makes it that much harder to make an appointment online.”
Ramos says for many seniors living at or below the poverty level, a language barrier can present another obstacle. It’s another reason his group brings the vaccines to where he says it’s needed most. “It’s very costly to vaccinate our community when a lot of our community is relying on medicare and medicaid” said Ramos. “I was going to make an appointment but I changed my mind, and then when I heard about coming down here to Claremont I just came and it’s not too bad” said Simmons. The city is also taking steps to make it easier for seniors by expanding walk-in centers where New Yorkers over the age of 75 and a companion can get a shot without an appointment. There are now 26 sites across the city. A spokesperson from the Department of Aging says the agency has been tapping into its network of providers to reach seniors who don’t have internet access via phone, assist with scheduling and transportation.
As of Friday more than 750,000 older adults over 65 have been vaccinated with at least one dose, according to Dina Montes, director of press and public information. Officials said the city will continue looking for opportunities to connect older new yorkers with the vaccines. Bronx Rising Initiative is also launching an effort next week to bring vaccines to more home bound seniors as well.
Recent Articles
OYATE GROUP TO DISTRIBUTE 1,500 TURKEYS AHEAD OF THANKSGIVING 2022 TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY
Oyate Group will honor its third annual New York City Thanksgiving turkey distribution by offering the largest amount yet The organization will work with local ...
Brooklyn Gun Buyback Program collects a record total of guns
Brooklyn Daily Eagle BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A gun buyback program held in Brooklyn over the weekend by the District Attorney's Office and the NYPD collected a ...
Bronx’s ‘Most Influential’ named to the Schneps Media Bronx Power List
Bronx Times By Robbie Sequeira Hundreds of supporters celebrated as the 2022 Bronx Power Listers were honored at Maestro’s Caterers on Wednesday, Dec. 14. The ultimate ...