Thread by @BuzzFeedNews

With demand for COVID-19 vaccines declining, officials are finding creative ways to motivate people who have yet to be vaccinated to do so. In Paterson, New Jersey, a “vaccine van” is bringing doses to residents on the street.

buzzfeednews.com/article/juliar…

Since the first week of May, the mobile vaccine clinic van has parked in areas with high foot traffic, vaccinating dozens of residents nearly every day. The van offers the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine so there’s no need to come back for a second shot.

As @juliareinstein spoke to Paterson Mayor André Sayegh, a resident approached to say hello and within minutes, got his vaccine. He was hesitant at first, but after seeing his brother safely receive his and the convenience of getting one on the spot, he was sold.

One explanation for lower vaccination rates is access — even with ample doses. Booking and showing up for an appointment can also be tough, especially if you are an older adult, have a disability, don’t speak English, or don’t have easy access to transportation or the internet.

As a result, many of the most vulnerable Americans — people with low incomes, immigrants, and people of color — remain unvaccinated.
buzzfeednews.com/article/juliar…

In Paterson, where about 86% of residents are Black or Latino and more than a quarter live below the poverty line, these factors have kept vaccination rates lower than surrounding towns.

Paterson’s vaccine van staff are mostly longtime residents with a keen understanding of the city and are also nearly all multilingual.

“If you don’t speak good English, the fear is, ‘Maybe I’m not going to get the help.’ You’ve got to remove barriers to hesitancy.”

There’s hesitation among some Black residents due to a long history of medical racism, but Paterson has partnered with houses of worship, as well as trusted Black community leaders and athletes, to get the word out.

buzzfeednews.com/article/juliar…

“This is the first step in mobilizing to get people vaccinated, and I hope we continue to utilize this [van]. This is going to benefit the city of Paterson, and hopefully this will set an example for everyone else in different communities and cities.”
buzzfeednews.com/article/juliar…