The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) was one of 11 community-based organizations to receive grant money as part of the Boston’s new Vaccine Equity Grant Initiative.
Acting Mayor Kim Janey, the Boston Public Health Commission and the Office of Health and Human Services made the announcement last Thursday that EBNHC and the 10 other organizations will share in a total of $1.5 million to increase vaccine access and awareness in communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As we continue to recover from COVID-19, it’s critical that we are intentional about our efforts to support Bostonians disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” said Janey. “I am proud to award this funding to community-based organizations committed to expanding access to and awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you for your partnership in helping our most vulnerable communities.”
Applicants to the new initiative, which kicked off in March, were charged with developing strategies to enhance and ensure equitable vaccine access for specific communities, neighborhoods and groups experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 or facing barriers in obtaining the vaccine
These groups include Black/African American, Latinx, Asian, Indigenious, and immigrant communities; persons with disabilities; individuals over the age of 65; in the neighborhoods of Eastie, Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Roslindale and Chinatown, where positivity rates have consistently been higher and vaccination rates have been lower than the citywide average.
“We are very pleased to be receiving funding from the City that will help us continue to address and advance vaccine equity in our community,” said EBNHC Vice President Steve Snyder. “We look forward to partnering with more community organizations who can assist with outreach to their constituents – it’s going to take a great team effort to get us to the level of vaccinating our whole community.”
Snyder said the Health Center will use the funds to support ongoing collaborations to administer the vaccine to Eastie’s underserved population.