Two Lynn organizations are among those that will receive money from the Baker-Polito administration as part of the Massachusetts Vaccine Equity Initiative to increase awareness and access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
The administration has announced $8.8 million in additional grants and contracts to community-based groups in the 20 cities and towns that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The awards are part of the administration’s investment of $27.4 million in federal funds announced in March.
Among the groups getting grants is the Lynn Community Health Center.
An additional $1.96 million in funding is being administered by Health Resources in Action (HRiA) in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. These funds are being awarded to 38 organizations to support their efforts to expand vaccine education and awareness that address the specific needs of Black, indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other communities of color within the 20 prioritized communities.
The North Shore Latino Business Association was the second recipient of the grant.
As part of an initial round of funding that began on Dec. 20, awardees have already begun community outreach, communication, and education. This latest award supplements that initial funding and will support 18 additional community and faith-based organizations serving the 20 prioritized communities, with a focus on those disproportionately impacted.
Community-based organizations, community health centers, and behavioral health centers awarded will provide guidance about vaccine eligibility, assistance to register for online appointments and translation services, among other supports. Services will be delivered by bilingual and bicultural staff and community health workers who have experience serving priority populations.
“As we continue to focus on the unequal burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals in our hardest hit cities and towns, we’re working hand in hand with communities on vaccine outreach and access efforts,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “That means building trust and confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy and helping eligible residents overcome barriers to get vaccinated.”
Organizations will receive funding to directly administer vaccination to groups that were not reached by other outreach efforts. These organizations can be deployed to smaller venues with populations that may require more intensive one-on-one vaccination support, such as substance use disorder treatment facilities, places of worship, homeless encampments, food pantries/congregate meal locations, LGBTQ+ community programs, shelters and day programs, and immigrant assistance centers.
Community-based organizations who serve the 20 priority communities and beyond — the priority populations who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 — may apply for funding here.
Announced by the Baker-Polito administration in February, the Vaccine Equity Initiative focuses on 20 cities and towns with the greatest COVID-19 case burden, taking into account social determinants of health and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, and indigenous, people of color (BIPOC). The communities are Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, and Worcester.
